CLEVELAND, March 19 (UPI) -- A judge Tuesday sentenced a 62-year-old grandmother to three years in prison for negligence in the death of a toddler who was beaten to death by the woman's 15-year-old granddaughter.
Jacqueline Clark was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the April 23, 2001, death of Devin Wilder. The granddaughter also is serving a sentence for involuntary manslaughter.
Devin and his sister, Makenna, were removed from their parents' custody because of suspected child abuse. Later, it was determined Makenna had so many broken bones because she suffered from brittle bone disease and there had been no abuse.
Clark apologized to Devin's parents in court.
"I cannot replace this child and I cannot again say to the parents how sorry I am," she said. "I have been in your shoes."
Devin's mother, Antoinette Artale indicated she cannot forgive Clark.
"She left Devin with a 15-year-old and she didn't call 911 until Saturday morning," Artale said. "The doctor said that if he had been taken to the hospital Friday night, there was a 50-50 chance he would have made it."
Clark's attorney said his client did not realize the child was hurt until the next morning.
