KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The mother of Erica Green, known as the unidentified child Precious Doe, apologized in a Jackson County, Mo., courtroom in relation to her daughter's death.
The Kansas City (Mo.) Star said Thursday Michelle Johnson, 33, apologized prior to being sentenced this week for murder for not being a better mother to Green, whose headless body was found in 2001.
"I would like to thank the Precious Doe Foundation, Alonzo Washington, Al Brooks, the prosecutor and Kansas City for finding my daughter, for giving her a name, for burying her and for loving her," Johnson said Wednesday.
Jackson County Circuit Judge John R. O'Malley sentenced Johnson to 25 years in prison following her emotional apology. The judge's sentence came after Johnson pleaded guilty in 2007 to a variety of charges including second-degree murder as part a deal with prosecutors.
Johnson's sentencing was delayed so she could testify against Green's stepfather, Harrell Johnson, who was convicted of first-degree murder two weeks ago. The Star said the couple was first arrested by police after a tip from a family member.
