Ruby Klokow, Wis. woman, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing her baby in 1957
(CBS/AP) SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - After 55 years, a woman accused of killing her 6-month-old daughter, was sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison on Wednesday.
Ruby C. Klokow, 76, was expecting to spend 45 days in prison for the crime as part of a plea agreement forged between lawyers. Instead she received the maximum sentence.
Judge Angela Sutkiewicz said "What happened to Jeaneen Klokow was no accident. It was caused by the defendant's reckless actions"
Klokow had pleaded no contest in February to a charge of second-degree murder stemming from the 1957 death of her 6-month-old daughter.
At the time of Jeaneen Klokow's death in 1957, the case was ruled as an accident, but in 2008 it was reopened after Ruby Klokow's son came forward with allegations of horrific child abuse.
James Klokow Jr., now 57, told investigators she often beat him, choked him, and kicked him with steel-toed boots. He said his mother broke his arm and nose, and described how she covered the head of his mentally challenged younger brother, Bruce, and struck the wailing boy's toes one by one with a hammer.
When questioned by investigators about Jeaneen's death, Klokow admitted to roughly throwing the infant onto the couch, causing her to bounce off and hit the floor.
Klokow's son pleaded for a lengthy sentence while other family members tried to persuade the judge that Klokow has suffered enough over the decades of knowing what happened to her baby.
Defense attorney Kirk Obear told reporters he was surprised by the unexpected sentence and promised to appeal.
District Attorney Joe DeCecco said Klokow will likely be granted parole when she becomes eligible in two-and-a- half years.
