COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- A Colorado Springs woman who pleaded guilty to setting her five children on fire, killing one of them, has been sentenced to 85 years in prison.
Maria Darlene Gardner was sentenced Friday in El Paso County District Court.
Authorities say Gardner poured gasoline on the children and then ignited the fire at the family home on Jan. 28, 2008.
Her 16-month-old daughter, Ashia Joseph, died. The other four children, ages 3 to 9, were severely burned. She pleaded guilty last month to one count of fatal child abuse and four counts of child abuse. In exchange, prosecutors dropped a first-degree murder charge.
Her attorney says she accepted the plea deal so her children wouldn't have to testify against her.
Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazette.com
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