JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The mother of a mentally disabled teen who died after being found malnourished and covered with lice in her Jacksonville home has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.
As part of a deal with Duval County prosecutors, 32-year-old Jessica Rivera pleaded guilty this week to two counts of child neglect. She had initially been charged with manslaughter.
Authorities say 13-year-old Romana Bones was found unresponsive in her Woodland Acres home in June 2011. She was removed from the home but died a week later. The Florida Times-Union (http://goo.gl/gbCVJ ) reports that Romana's three younger siblings were taken into state custody.
An autopsy said Romana suffered from organ failure as a result of a massive infection. Coroners also found hemorrhaging of her heart caused by pancreatitis and pneumonia.
