A Dowagiac man will likely miss the birth of his first son as he serves a jail sentence for stealing items from vehicles in the Niles area.

Twenty-year-old Tyler Damouth was placed on probation for two years, but must serve the first 45 days in the Berrien County Jail. He pleaded guilty earlier to one count of larceny from a motor vehicle.

Damouth’s attorney, Albert Mais, said his client’s first son would likely be born by the middle of January. Damouth won’t be out of jail until the early part of February.

“He will feel the pain of that,” Mais said.

According to court documents, Niles Police responded to a report of individuals possibly breaking into vehicles in the area of 15th and Cherry streets in Niles on Oct. 25.

Police located Damouth and a co-defendant, 20-year-old Robert Rogers, of Niles, in the general area.

Damouth and Rogers then admitted they had been taking items from vehicles in the Niles and Dowagiac areas.

Damouth apologized for his actions during Monday’s sentencing and said he would use this opportunity to change his life and set a good example for his unborn son.

“I want to be there for him everyday,” Damouth said.

Judge Dennis Wiley told Damouth it is up to him to turn things around.

“The keys to the jail are in your hands,” said Wiley, adding that Damouth apparently hadn’t learned his lesson after being placed on probation in Cass County in August.

Rogers, who also pleaded guilty to larceny from a motor vehicle, was placed on probation for two years, but will spend the first 15 days in jail. Rogers had no prior criminal record.

Both Damouth and Rogers will also serve 90 days on electronic monitoring following their release from jail.

Also Monday:

• Joseph Dean Williams, 22, of Niles, was sentenced to 45 days in jail and two years on probation on one count of home invasion in the third degree.

• Kandy Kay Kirby, 53, of Niles, was sentenced to 14 months in the Michigan Department of Corrections on one count of unlawful use/possession of a financial transaction device.