JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The woman accused of hitting and killing a 12-year-old boy in 2017 was sentenced to just a little over a decade in prison Monday.
Kelley Permenter was sentenced to 10 years and four months in prison with credit for 32 days served.
In October, a jury found Permenter guilty of DUI manslaughter, DUI with damage and leaving the scene in the 2017 death of Hunter Cope.
It was an emotional day in court as five victim-impact statements were read during the sentencing for Permenter.
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Nicole Kinser delivered the first victim-impact statement on behalf of her son, who was best friends with Hunter. He wrote that Hunter was lovable and he'll never have a friend like him again.
One of Hunter's grandmothers sent a statement, which the state read on their behalf. The grandmother wrote that they lost one of life’s most precious gifts.
Crystal Clark, Hunter's mother, said March 6, 2017 was the worst day of her life. She said it felt like her heart was ripped out of his chest: "Permenter's actions took my baby away forever."
The judge denied a motion for a new trial, saying there was plenty of evidence presented during trial to support a guilty verdict. The judge also denied a motion for judgment of acquittal.
William Permenter, Kelley Permenter's father, said he and his wife have been taking care of Kelley Permenter's four children since she's been in jail.
He said his daughter was depressed and noticed her behavior had shifted before the crash. After the crash, he said, she got help and changed her life around.
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Terri Permenter, Kelley Permenter's mother, said Permenter has become a better mother since the crash and is more active in the children's lives. Terri Permenter said Kelley Permenter was apologetic and remorseful after the crash.
Permenter herself also took the stand, looking at Hunter's family as she spoke directly to them.
"I want to apologize to you and your family for the grief and heartache I've caused you," she said. "I know nothing I can say to you will bring back your son. I can't bring back Hunter and I'm so sorry."
Permenter told the judge that treatment gave her a new outlook on life. She said she's tried to make good choices since the day she hit and killed Hunter.
Permenter asked the judge for mercy in his sentencing decision.
"Please don't punish my children and my parents," she said.
The judge later asked, "Why didn't Ms. Permenter think about her children and her parents when she got behind the wheel?"
Permenter's sentence will be followed by one year of community control followed by three years of probation.
The special conditions of her sentence include; DUI school, driver's license permanently revoked and suspended forever; substance abuse evaluation and treatment, random urine analysis for probation, AA meetings once a week, 200 community service hours, consume no legal drugs without a doctor's prescription, mental health evaluation, curfew 10 p.m.-6 a.m. seven days a week, required to wear a drug patch and financial obligations for court costs.
She has 30 days to appeal the sentence.
Cox Media Group
