Local woman sentenced to state prison for multiple DUIs with child in the car

Lock Haven, Pa. — A Renovo woman was in court on Tuesday to face sentencing in four criminal cases, including a pair of DUIs while under the influence of crack cocaine.

Judge Michael F. Salisbury imposed sentences for Karen Mace, 43, of 4th Street, Renovo Borough, that totaled a maximum of eight years in state prison, with parole eligibility after the first 18 months are served, according to a news release.

Mace was arrested for her first DUI in October of 2023 after she drove to the Clinton County courthouse for a pending probation violation for a pair of prior bad check convictions. Mace appeared for court that morning visibly under the influence of controlled substances, and police discovered she had driven to the courthouse with a minor child passenger, the release said.

Lock Haven City Police responded to the courthouse that morning and took Mace into custody.

Mace was released on bail in November of 2023 and was arrested for another DUI in January of 2024 when she was observed operating a motor vehicle in the vicinity of Renovo Elementary School with a minor child occupant, again visibly under the influence of controlled substances, according to police.

Renovo Police responded after teachers and staff members followed Mace out of safety concerns.

Mace was denied bail following her second DUI arrest. At sentencing, Mace told Judge Salisbury that she was committed to her sobriety and asked the court to sentence her to a county sentence, requesting a time-served sentence.

The Commonwealth, represented by Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse, argued for a state prison sentence in light of the repeated danger that Mace posed to the community, especially children, the DA's office said in the release.

"Ultimately, Judge Salisbury found that county jail was not sufficient in Mace's situation," the DA's office said. Salisbury called Mace a "substantial risk to re-offend," and told Mace that he believed her only chance of success was likely the State Drug Treatment Program offered through the Department of Corrections.

Docket sheet