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Arizona mother who gave toddler fatal meth dose receives 20-year prison sentence

PHOENIX — An Arizona woman who gave her toddler a fatal dose of methamphetamine in 2016 was sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison.

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Natalie Russell, 30, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder and child abuse, azcentral.com reported. Russell claimed she gave her 22-month-old daughter meth to counteract the effects of methadone. The child had accidentally ingested methadone that was left in an open container, Russell allegedly told police. Officials said Russell failed to get her daughter medical assistance.

Authorities say the child died after she gave her a dose of meth in an effort to counteract methadone that had spilled.

Posted by azcentral on Friday, January 19, 2018

Several friends and family members attended Russell's sentencing at the Maricopa County Superior Court, azcenteral.com reported. Russell's supporters said they forgive her for her actions. Russell maintains that she never meant to harm her daughter, and her actions were driven by her drug addiction.