A Citrus County mother will spend the next 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to child abuse.
Twenty-three-year-old Alyssia Skinner appeared despondent in court as the sentence was read by Judge Richard Howard.
"You've been sliding through life just like you're sliding through this hearing, just keeping your eyes down, not wanting any interaction just waiting for it to be over," said Judge Howard from the bench. "Feed me, house me, keep me from being hurt, and that's where you are going to be for the next long time in the state prison system."
Skinner pleaded guilty to locking her 17-month-old daughter Isabella in a room with no food or water. Investigators say the room was soiled with urine and feces.
An air conditioner in the room was kept running around the clock. The infant was so cold, the sheriff's office said Isabella's muscles and tendons fused in a fetal position as she tried to stay warm for several weeks.
Deputy Nick Hesse found the infant locked in the home last February. He testified during sentencing, "This was not, you know, I am having a hard time taking care of my child. This was, I don't want to be a mother. I'm just going to put this problem out of sight, out of mind and carry on living my life."
After Skinner's release from prison in 2030, she will serve 14 years-probation.
Isabella is now 2-and-a-half-years-old. She is slowly recovering but doctors say she is still struggling to walk and talk. Experts say she will likely suffer physical and mental issues for the rest of her life.
As many as 15 families have come forward wanting to adopt Isabella.