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The sentencing of a former financial officer for Head Start fainted during his sentencing this week.
Brian D. Marshall, 35, plead guilty to embezzling more than $20,000 from the Parkersburg-based Family Development Inc. in June.
Calhoun was one of 10 counties covered by the agency.
Judge Joseph R. Goodwin was instructing Marshall on where to mail restitution, when Marshall's knees buckled and he teetered forward onto the defense table.
Court personnel called paramedics, and Goodwin postponed the hearing.
Marshall had apologized to the court and to his family, particularly his parents and his children.
"I'm a convicted felon, and that's no way for children to be raised," he said.
A sentencing memorandum filed by his attorney Dennis Curry describes Marshall's embezzlement as "a crime of opportunity at a time of personal weakness midst chronic financial despair."
Marshall, using new and unfamiliar computer software, unwittingly created two paychecks for himself, Curry wrote.
He admitted to cashing 21 improper checks for a total of $20,875.66.
Family Development Inc. surrendered control of the $1.6 million Head Start grant in 2005 after it failed to correct multiple deficiencies that would have resulted in the grant's termination.
The grant covered services in Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties.
Control of the federal grant was shifted to Colorado-based Community Development Inc.
Calhoun's Head Start program is now delivered by the local school board. | 
