Thursday, June 18, 2009

NY mother sentenced to prison for death of 6-year-old son with CP

From The Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, N.Y.:

An Ontario County, mother was sentenced to 2 1/3 to seven years in prison — half of the maximum sentence — after being found guilty last month of second degree manslaughter.

Amber Zuke and her estranged husband Timothy Zuke, who both lived in Geneva, were accused of causing their 6-year old son Jacob’s death by neglecting his nutritional and medical needs. Police found Jacob, weighing only 25 pounds, dead in the family’s apartment on Jan. 1, 2008. He suffered from cerebral palsy and inflammation of the brain.

Timothy Zuke took a plea deal and will serve one to three years in prison.

“The judge felt he was less culpable than the wife, who denied responsibility throughout the trial and received more time,” said Jim Ritts, Ontario County assistant district attorney.