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MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — A New York woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of her 8-year-old disabled daughter on the day she was to be a flower girl.
Veronica Cirella of Plainvew was promised a 12-year prison sentence during a court hearing Thursday in Nassau County Court in Mineola.
She admitted she took Julie Cirella's life in July 2011. Julie was supposed to be in a relative's wedding the day she died.
Prosecutors initially said Julie was fed peanut M&Ms and had a peanut allergy.
However, Newsday reported that an autopsy found no peanut residue in Julie's body.
The district attorney's office said last month they believed the mother killed Julie by asphyxiating her.
Relatives said Thursday that Cirella never complained about caring for Julie, who had cerebral palsy.
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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com
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