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LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho woman who authorities say was intoxicated when she crashed her vehicle, killing her 5-year-old daughter, has pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter.
Bianca G. Sekayouma, 40, of Lapwai, entered the plea Wednesday in 2nd District Court, the Lewiston Tribune reported (http://bit.ly/1RywGd9 ).
"I wrecked and killed my little girl," Sekayouma said, weeping.
Sekayouma was driving her Jeep Commander on April 5 when she hit a power pole on U.S. Highway 95, north of Culdesac, authorities said.
Maya Martinez and her 7-year-old sister both were ejected — Maya died and her sister survived. Police say no one wore seat belts, and Sekayouma had a blood-alcohol content of 0.102, above the legal limit of 0.08.
"I have always thought it was important that the defendant accept responsibility for taking the life of her child," Nez Perce County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Justin Coleman said. "She finally did that today."
A plea agreement calls for Sekayouma to serve three to 10 years in prison. As part of the deal, a felony charge of injury to a child and misdemeanor DUI were dismissed.
The deal also allows defense attorney Richard M. Cuddihy to ask the court to send Sekayouma to a prison rehabilitation program for up to one year. If 2nd District Judge Jeff M. Brudie determines she does well in the program, she could be released on probation.
Sekayouma is being held in the Nez Perce County Jail. A sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 13.
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Information from: Lewiston Tribune, http://www.lmtribune.com
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