Nigerian-born day care owner, Jessica Tata, who left young children in her house while she went on a shopping trip to Target has been sentenced to 80 years in jail after four of the children died and three others were injured when a fire started in her home.
Houston jurors, last Tuesday, sentenced 24-year-old Jessica to 80 years in prison for the death of one of the children, 16-month-old Elias Castillo. She still faces charges related to the rest of the children.
‘Nobody wins in this situation,’ the young victim’s’ great-grandmother Patty Sparks said after the sentence was announced.
‘My heart goes out to the Tata family and those precious mothers and fathers who lost their babies.’
Tata, who was only a few years removed from her teens when she started her day care, worked alone most of the time.
Investigators said the February 2011 blaze happened when a pan of oil she had left cooking on the stove ignited while she was out shopping. The same jury that decided her sentence convicted Tata last week of one count of felony murder.
The jury could have sentenced her to anywhere from five years to life in prison. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, while defense attorneys asked only that jurors not give her an excessive sentence.
She will have to serve 30 years of her sentence before she is eligible for parole. Tata also was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
chylind5 at 25-06-2014 10:25 AM (10 years ago) (f)
Oh dear, it's quite a pity. May d Innocent Souls of the little angels RIP. Please they should reconsider her judgment, it's an accident not a deliberate act. Let God intervene in her case.
Posted: at 25-06-2014 10:25 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac
A very gracious great grandmother who herself lost a family member in the fire.
Her words that "nobody wins in this situation" - and that her heart goes out to the Tata family and the families of the deceased children - is heartwarming.
A pity this young girls decision made that day - was the wrong one.
Posted: at 25-06-2014 11:15 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Rhabboni at 25-06-2014 03:53 PM (10 years ago) (m)
IF SHE CAN BE ALL THIS CARELESS IN THE USA KNOWING HW TIGHT ISSUES ARE, WHO KNOWS HW CARELESS SHE WILL BE IN A PLACE LIKE NIGERIA WHERE NOBODY CARES. ITS A PITY AS WELL AS A LESSON TO OTHERS.
Posted: at 25-06-2014 03:53 PM (10 years ago) | Newbie
NOW SHE IS GOING TO FACE WHAT SHE CAN NOT WITH STAND MAY GOD HELP HER 
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