The stepmother of 2-year-old Ariellisa Simmons was found guilty Friday in the childs abuse, abduction and death.
Andrea P. Watkins-Simmons, 36, was sentenced to 20 years of active prison time for second-degree murder based on a plea agreement reached between her attorney and prosecutors. Half of the original 40-year sentence was suspended, as was an additional 20 years for abduction and abuse charges.
She sat in court emotionless, staring directly ahead as Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Kelli Burnett read a lengthy narrative of the evidence that would have been presented at trial.
After hearing the evidence, David Baugh, Watkins-Simmons attorney, said it would have been sufficient to render a guilty verdict. Baugh spoke for Watkins-Simmons saying she pleads no contest to the charges. As part of the plea agreement, a charge of first-degree murder was dropped.