Virginia mom sentenced to 30 years in child-abuse death of daughter
02/07/2020 11:05 am PST
via WTKR:
NORFOLK, Va. (WTKR) -- A Norfolk mother will spend 30 years in prison for her role in her 11-year-old daughter's death. A judge handed down the sentence Friday morning.
Heaven Watkins was found dead inside the family's apartment in Ocean View on May 18, 2018. According to officials, the child had serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Latoya Smith, along with her boyfriend Demont Harris, were charged in Heaven Watkins' death.
Smith previously pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and felony homicide. She was sentenced to 50 years total in prison, but the judge suspended 20 years.
During the sentencing, Smith was emotional, crying loudly at times. She addressed the judge, saying she thinks about Heaven day and night, and wishes she could get her back.
The prosecutor said Heaven's two siblings are in the process of being adopted by their foster parents.
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