Former principal admits starving disabled daughter

ADELAIDE, Australia, May 29 (UPI) -- A former elementary school principal in Australia admitted Wednesday she starved her severely disabled daughter to death.

Angela Puhle, 56, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Adelaide, The (Adelaide) Advertiser reported. She and her husband, who took his own life in 2011, had originally been charged with the murder of their daughter, Kyla.

Puhle said very little during the hearing, quietly saying "guilty" when asked how she pleaded. She declined to comment as she left the court, free on bail until her sentencing.

Kyla Puhle, 27 when she died in March 2011, had severe medical problems. She was quadriplegic and suffered from cerebral palsy and scoliosis of the spine.

At the time of her death at the home she shared with her parents in North Brighton, she weighed less than 50 pounds.

Justice John Sulan ordered the prosecution and defense to make submissions on sentencing in July.

Harry Puhle, a teacher and former Australian rules football player in the South Australian league, killed himself after he was released on bail.