The accused pleaded guilty to four counts: failing to provide the necessaries of life to her nine-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy, resulting in the child's death from malnutrition and dehydration; possession of heroin; possession of methamphetamine; and failure to appear in court.
The child died on September 4, 2017, after a 17-day period during which the accused failed to provide adequate nutrition and medical care.
The accused had a history of caring for the child and her mother with dementia, but experienced a collapse following her mother's death in March 2017, leading to increased substance abuse.
The court imposed a sentence of time served (17 months enhanced pre-trial custody credit) followed by three years of probation with conditions including substance abuse and mental health counselling.
