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A babysitter was sentenced to probation on a homicide charge yesterday, even though the parents of the 17-month-old baby that died don't think the sitter is to blame.
The case involves the polygamist Kingston clan.
Michelle Michaels, age 28, pleaded guilty to second-degree child homicide. Prosecutors say the baby died from a blow to the head.
The child's father is Paul Kingston. He's the spiritual leader of the polygamist Kingston clan and Michaels' uncle. He says Michaels was prosecuted because of her polygamist ties.
Michaels maintains that the child fell off a chair and hit her head on the floor.
Judge Dennis Fuchs said that only she and her conscience know what really happened on that day. He sentenced her to 36 months' probation and 500 hours of community service.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
