Mom locked daughter in closet, could get 20 years

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In exchange for a lighter sentence, Jacole Prince pleaded guilty Tuesday to locking her 10-year-old, 32-pound daughter in a closet, among other offenses, reports CBS affiliate KCTV. 

Upon hearing her sentence would be 20 years in prison, Prince initially hesitated before entering her guilty plea.

Her trial had been scheduled for June.

The case gained significant attention in 2012, when it was discovered that Prince had locked her child in a closet in their Kansas City apartment, not letting her out even to sleep or use the bathroom. 

The state said doctors were prepared to testify that Prince’s actions will have physically and emotionally long-lasting developmental effects on her daughter, who has already undergone heart transplant surgery since being rescued by police.

Prince acknowledged neglecting to feed her daughter daily and tying the door to her closet with shoe strings.  The 10-year-old girl, whose name has been withheld, had not been to school since kindergarten.

Prince pleaded guilty to assault, child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.  She will be sentenced on April 25.