Mother Sentenced To 8 Years In Prison For Leaving 2-Year-Old In Freezing Car Overnight
ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A mother who left her 2-year-old son in a car overnight during freezing temperatures after downing several shots of vodka was sentenced to eight years in prison on Thursday.
Nicole Carmon, 29, gave an emotional plea in Adams County Court on Thursday morning.
"I am a good mom and I love my kids more than anything else in this world and I take full responsibility for what I did. I know I messed up. I can... I can tell you right now if my son wasn't here I wouldn't be here, either. I would not have been able to live with myself," said Carmon before a judge at her sentencing.
Carmon previously pleaded guilty to child abuse and attempted first-degree assault after she left her 2-year-old son in a car for 14 hours during a snow storm in December 2016.
The car, a Ford Fusion, was found in a parking lot in Thornton and officers said the vehicle was heavily covered with snow that they couldn't see inside. When they brushed off the windows they saw the toddler sitting in the car.
The toddler was rushed to the hospital where he was treated for hypothermia and frost bite.
Carmon was arrested shortly after.
Court documents show Carmon told police she had six shots of vodka and couldn't remember where she left her car.
"The impression I got from her statement in court is she's still blaming others for her actions. She needs to look in the mirror and understand it was her who left that child in the car. I think it's a just sentence," said Adams County District Attorney Dave Young.
In addition to her eight year sentence, Carmon was also given three years probation.
The judge said he wants this sentence to send a message to the community about the responsibility they have as parents and what happens when they neglect it.
Carmon had faced a maximum of 10 years behind bars.