Sentencing for mom who tried to kill autistic girl

(AP) — A northern Michigan woman who acknowledged trying to kill herself and her autistic 14-year-old daughter is scheduled for sentencing and could get up to life in prison.

Kelli Stapleton pleaded guilty last month to first-degree child abuse after originally being charged with attempted murder. A two-day sentencing hearing begins Monday in Benzie County Circuit Court.

The 46-year-old defendant drove her daughter Isabelle to an isolated location in September 2013, gave her sleep-inducing medication and ignited charcoal in two grills inside a van. She and Isabelle survived, but her daughter sustained brain damage. Authorities say she has since recovered.

Kelli Stapleton was an advocate for autism awareness and kept a blog that described the challenges of finding and affording proper treatment for Isabelle, who was prone to violent outbursts.