LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — A mother accused in connection with the death of her 19-month-old daughter has been sentenced in Luzerne County.
Valentina Varela-Luis, 26, was sentenced on Thursday to two years of probation.
Varela-Luis and James Kasisky, 27, the child's father, were charged in March 2023.
Troopers say that in December of 2022, the pair never checked on their 19-month-old daughter in Newport Township for more than 24 hours. Court papers show that the child died after being left in a warm room with no food or water.
Varela-Luis pleaded no contest in May to two counts of recklessly endangering another person. Charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of children were withdrawn.
Kasisky was sentenced in May to time served and was released on parole after a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter charges.