Leticia Gonzales.Photo:Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office
A Michigan mother was sentenced to two to five years in prison Monday for a rollover crash that killed her three young sons last year, according to multiple news reports.
Gonzales had pleaded no contest in April to one count of operating while intoxicated causing injury and three misdemeanor charges of moving violation causing death, according toMichigan Local.The deal reportedly called for one year in jail.
However, she later withdrew her plea to the charges after the judge said he intended to sentence her to a minimum of four years in prison, per the news outlet.
“I hate myself so much,” Gonzales said in an emotional statement during which she also asked the judge for mercy.
“I’m living in pain and remorse every day and I just want my boys to know that I’m sorry for everything,” she added.
During her sentencing, Judge Jon Hulsing said while Gonzales did not plan to harm her children, this isn’t the first time she’s used drugs.
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On Feb. 17, 2022, Gonzales’ SUV drifted across the center lane of a road before hitting a curb and flipping into an ice-covered pond, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said, according to WWMT. The woman’s three sons, Jerome III, 4, Jeremiah, 3, and Josiah, 1, drowned while trapped in the car, authorities reportedly said.
Gonzales escaped with minor injuries and was charged in connection with the crash months later.
PEOPLE couldn’t immediately identify an attorney who could comment on her sentence.
source: people.com
