"Mothers Sentenced to Life for Leaving Children Alone During Vacation"

An Ohio mother was sentenced to life in prison without parole for leaving her 16-month-old daughter alone in a playpen for 10 days while she went on vacation to Puerto Rico and Detroit, resulting in the toddler's death from dehydration. The mother pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and endangering children, and evidence showed she had lied to police about her vacation and redressed her daughter before authorities arrived. The prosecution presented evidence of the mother partying in Puerto Rico while her daughter was left alone, and the judge condemned her actions as an "ultimate act of betrayal."