A Rome woman has been sentenced to two years in prison and 18 years on probation after being convicted of abandoning three adults with intellectual disabilities outside their group home on a cold January night.

Talya Nachisa Pollard, 45, of Rome, was sentenced by Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge John “Jack” Niedrach. In addition to the prison and probation sentence, Pollard was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and complete 240 hours of community service.

A Floyd County jury convicted Pollard on July 14 on three counts of felony exploitation or intimidation of a disabled adult and three counts of false imprisonment.

Prosecutors said Pollard left three residents in a vehicle outside their group home despite knowing they could not safely get out of the vehicle on their own.

The case dates back to January 2026, when initial reports indicated disabled residents had been left in a vehicle for an extended period. At the time of Pollard’s arrest, reports stated the victims were discovered approximately an hour and a half later and were described as scared and confused. They had to be assisted from the vehicle and into the group home.

Initial reports identified two victims and Pollard was originally charged with two counts of exploitation and intimidation of a disabled adult. The case ultimately presented to the jury involved three victims, resulting in the six felony convictions.

Pollard disputed portions of the prosecution’s account. She said she had notified co-workers that the residents remained in the van and that she left the vehicle running to provide heat. Pollard said she left because she wanted to avoid a confrontation with her supervisor and maintained that she cared about the residents.

Her attorney, Jeremy Salter, says the case is not over. The defense plans to appeal Pollard’s convictions, with Salter saying there are several issues he intends to raise before an appellate court.

Unless changed through the appeals process, Pollard will serve two years in prison followed by 18 years of probation.