(CNN) — A Colorado woman accused of profiting from her 7-year-old daughter’s fake illnesses before the girl’s death in 2017 has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Kelly Turner pleaded guilty in January as part of a plea deal for felony theft, charity fraud and child abuse causing wrongful death, according to the district attorney’s office for the 18th Judicial District.
Douglas County Judge Patricia Herron sentenced Turner on all three charges Wednesday, ruling that the sentences run concurrently. The sentencing decision is not subject to reconsideration, the judge said.
Before the deal, Turner had been charged with murder in the death of Olivia Grant, but those charges and others were dropped as part of the deal, said Vikki Migoya, a spokeswoman for the district attorney at the time.
The death of Olivia Grant
Olivia participated in events planned by the Make-A-Wish Foundation and was seen on rides with police and firefighters honoring her wishes to serve her community.
The girl died in August 2017 of intestinal failure following Turner signed a do-not-resuscitate order, telling doctors Olivia’s quality of life was too poor to keep her alive, according to a 2019 indictment.
Multiple doctors told investigators that the conditions Olivia allegedly had were not confirmed following examination, and six doctors said none of the conditions constituted a terminal illness, prosecutors said.
Today’s sentencing is pursuant to a “fiercely negotiated” plea deal that came following months of legal challenges on both sides, Herron said.
“These cases are difficult for both sides, for everyone. Hopefully, the sentence that is imposed will bring closure to both sides and allow people to at least begin to heal,” Herron said.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Gallo reiterated his frustration with prosecuting this case, as he had at the time of the plea deal.
“I think this statement acknowledges a certain level of responsibility on the part of this defendant for this insidious crime of years and her role in hastening the death of a very special and very sick girl,” Gallo said. “And ultimately, the sad thing is that nothing we do in this courtroom is going to make it right.”
The deal the Colorado woman got
Prosecutor Valerie Brewster read a letter from Olivia’s grandfather, Lonnie Gautreau, who called Olivia an “amazing little girl.” The prosecution also played a montage of photos and videos of Olivia on Gautreau’s behalf.
Turner’s mother disputed the charges once morest her daughter in a letter read by defense attorney Ara Ohanian. She rejected claims that Turner suffers from Munchausen-by-proxy, an illness that only a mental health professional can diagnose.
Ohanian said Turner wants to take responsibility for what he did in this case, but insisted Turner is not responsible for killing his daughter.
Herron also ruled Wednesday that Turner will not be able to benefit from any information or facts related to this case, and any compensation he receives will be donated to the charities he defrauded.
The judge added that Turner may not have any contact with his other daughter, Samantha, sparking a debate between the defense, the prosecution and Gautreau.
The attorney representing Olivia’s estate and family in a civil case released a statement following sentencing.
“Olivia’s grandparents are completely devastated by the preventable death of their brilliant, talented and beautiful granddaughter. Now that the legal issues have been resolved, Olivia’s grandparents want to join forces with the community and state to raise public awareness of the disease. Munchausen or medical child abuse and change the Mandatory Reporter Laws and Policies,” attorney Hollynd Hoskins said in the statement.
The grandparents want these new policies and laws to be named following Olivia, the statement says.
CNN’s Travis Caldwell and Raja Razek contributed to this report.
