Zanesville Woman Gets Maximum Sentence in Daughter’s Death

A Zanesville woman will face 10-years in prison for pleading guilty in the death of her three-year-old daughter last September.

Judge Mark Fleegle sentenced Kristen Prince this morning to the maximum 10 years in prison on an involuntary manslaughter charge.

She was also sentenced to six months on a misdemeanor charge of child endanering, which is to be served concurrently.

"Who had a similar pattern of abuse and brisues as the child one, " says Judge Mark Fleegle.

A felony charge of child endangering was dropped.

Prince read a statement to the courtroom prior to sentencing, apologizing for the pain she has caused her family and saying she was sorry for her actions,

"As her mother, I should have done everything in my power to protect her. As a mother, I failed her and myself. I will continue to live in a world of what if, how could, and why, " says Prince.

Prince admitted she punched her daughter, Kadence, in the stomach. Kadence was found dead on October 31, 2007 in her Forest Avenue home.

Pricne is currently in the Muskingum County Jail.

Prince’s boyfriend, Lionel Smith , who was also charged, pled guilty to one count of felony attempted child endangering, one count of misdemeanor child endangering, and one count of failure to report a death or crime.

Assistant Prosecutor Ron Welch has recommended Smith serve two years, which is the maximum time for the charges.