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Woman Sentenced for Death of Child

STROUDSBURG — A woman from East Stroudsburg faced a judge Tuesday in Monroe County after a 4-year-old girl in her care died from an overdose of oxycodone....
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STROUDSBURG -- A woman from East Stroudsburg faced a judge Tuesday in Monroe County after a 4-year-old girl in her care died from an overdose of oxycodone.

Mary Winbush of Stroudsburg will spend at least six months in the county jail for the death of that 4-year-old girl.

Winbush's family stood united, saying the death of Janessa Davis was just a tragic accident.

Winbush hid her face on her way into the courtroom, surrounded by her sisters, cousins, grandchildren, and son.

Winbush pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the death of 4-year-old Janessa Davis in May of 2014.

The little girl was abandoned by her family and Winbush took her in.

"This woman dropped her off, basically, Mary said, 'OK, you get yourself in order. I'll take care of her,'" explained defense attorney Jason Labar.

The little girl died from an oxycodone overdose. Investigators believed Winbush gave the child the prescription painkiller because she had been running a high fever for several days.

By the time Winbush called police, Janessa was already dead.

"The defendant was in the sole possession of these prescription pills. They were in childproof containers and she had them hidden away from everybody," said Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Michael Rakaczewski.

When officers went to search the home in Stroudsburg, prosecutors say Winbush tried to hide the pills in her back pocket.

Winbush's family describes her as loving and giving and calls the girl's death just a tragic accident.

Prosecutors disagree.

"She said that she accepts full responsibility. It's clear that she didn't because she was still trying to pass it off as an accident," said Rakaczewski.  "A lot of people talked on her behalf, but that little girl, at 4 years old, her life is over."

A Monroe County judge ordered Winbush to spent six to 23 months in the county jail.  Winbush suffers from multiple sclerosis and has a history of heroin abuse.

"I really felt the judge would do what was right and I really think he did in this case. 10 years doing this job and this was the most difficult case I had to really argue. It's just a tragic event," said Labar.

Janessa Davis' mother did not show up to court.

The district attorney's office had hoped for a state sentence in this case. There is no word on if they might appeal the sentence.

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