By C1 Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A couple have been sentenced to 35 years behind bars for forcing a 5-year-old to drink grape soda and water as a form of punishment, resulting in her death.
Reuters reports that Randall Vaughn and Mary Vaughn pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated child neglect.
Together, they forced Alexa Linboom to drink more than half a gallon of grape soda and water over two hours in January 2012 after they found she had consumed a soda or two they had told her were reserved for the adults.
The large amount of liquid caused the girl’s brain to swell. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died two days later.
Her siblings provided key details that led to the indictment of their father and stepmother. The children would have been required to testify if not for the Vaughns’ guilty pleas.
A plea deal was made to ensure the children wouldn’t have to endure a potentially high-profile trial, and to keep the parents behind bars for the rest of their lives.
The siblings are in foster care.