HAVERHILL (AP) -- A Haverhill woman has pleaded guilty to federal charges of filling an empty cough syrup bottle with liquid dish soap and returning it to a city drug store.

The bottle was subsequently bought and used by someone else.

Rebecca DeStefano pleaded guilty Thursday in return for a recommendation by the U.S. attorney's office of one year probation, a $250 fine and a mandatory $100 special assessment.

She could still face more severe penalties at sentencing.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports

Federal authorities say the 26-year-old woman was given the over-the-counter medicine by a relative in October.

She then allegedly returned the bottle and other items to a different branch of the same drug store and was given a $26 refund.

Prosecutors say they recommended a light sentence because of DeStefano's "prompt acceptance of responsibility."

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