A Turlock mother who allowed her disabled 2-year-old daughter to die of dehydration and malnourishment during a three-day methamphetamine binge will spend at least 15 years in prison.
Brandy Lee Rose Devine, 26, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison Friday morning for the second-degree murder of her daughter, Stephanie Torres, 2.
According to prosecutors, Devine left her daughter alone in her crib without food or water for nearly three days in July 2012 at their North Denair Avenue home. Torres, who was born prematurely and with complications, suffered from cerebral palsy and also needed regular doses of medication.
Throughout that weekend Devine was smoking methamphetamine in another bedroom of the house with an unknown man, she told authorities.
Stephanie was found after a neighbor placed a 9-1-1 call, reporting a non-responsive child.
Devine was also found guilty of willfully causing a child to suffer and using methamphetamine. Devine's 10-year, 90-day sentence for those charges was stayed; she will not serve that time unless she is released and violates parole.
Defenders argued that Devine's actions constituted negligence, not murder. Prosecutors said that Devine fed her three other children during the weekend, and that she was aware of what she was doing.
The defense did not argue the child cruelty or methamphetamine charges.
Devine will be transferred to prison on Jan. 3.
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