NYC Grandmother Pleads Guilty In Voodoo Ritual
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York City grandmother of a 6-year-old girl who was severely burned in a voodoo ritual has admitted she did nothing to stop it.
Sylvenie Thessier, of Queens, pleaded guilty Wednesday to endangering the welfare of a child. Under a plea deal, she faces three years in prison.
Prosecutors said the child's mother, Marie Lauradin, sprayed the girl with rum and set her on fire in June 2009 to rid her of evil spirits.
They said the 71-year-old grandmother later doused the girl with water and put her to bed without seeking medical help.
The girl's mother was set to go on trial on charges of assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
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