Suburban Chicago mom gets 4 years for killing disabled daughter
Originally charged with murder in the death last year of her severely disabled 28-year-old daughter, a suburban Chicago mom was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Prosecutors had recommended probation for Bonnie Liltz, 56, who killed Courtney Liltz by putting a lethal dose of medication in her feeding tube, and then apparently trying to kill herself with the same drug. Described by family, friends and fellow parishioners as a devoted mom to the child she adopted at age 5, Liltz testified that she had thought she was dying that day and feared for her daughter’s future, according to the Chicago Tribune (reg. req.) and the Daily Herald.
“Every aspect of her life was Courtney, from the moment she rose until the moment she went to bed,” said attorney Thomas Glasgow, who defended Liltz in the case.
However, Judge Joel Greenblatt gave the sobbing Liltz a four-year prison term in the Cook County case and had her taken immediately into custody, telling her: “The choice you made that morning was not an act of love. It was a crime.”
University of Chicago law professor Jonathan Masur told the Tribune before the sentencing that probation could have been warranted for Liltz in this case.
“This is a severe crime,” Masur said. “Legally, it’s not a gray area. Certainly, this is murder. But what would be accomplished by (incarcerating) someone who would never commit a crime again? There’s not any benefit.”
Related coverage:
Chicago Tribune (reg. req.): “Woman who gave severely disabled daughter overdose of pills pleads guilty “
