PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – A grandmother was sentenced to three years in prison on Monday in connection with the death of her 2-year-old granddaughter.
According to officials, on Sept. 23, 2020, medics were dispatched to the 400 block of Hanbury Avenue around 6:30 p.m., where they found the toddler unresponsive. The child was then taken to a local hospital where she later died.
2 wanted for 2020 murder of toddler in Portsmouth now in custody
Several months later, on April 21, 2021, Karen Jackson, then 55, was taken into custody on felony child neglect and felony murder charges. Barry Johnson, then 54, was also taken into custody on April 24, 2021 on the same charges.
Evidence from the Commonwealth showed that the toddler had ingested fentanyl while under the care of Jackson, leading to her untimely death. On Dec. 16, 2024, Jackson pled guilty to child abuse and neglect and involuntary manslaughter.
A judge then sentenced Jackson to five years with five suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation upon release for the child abuse and neglect charge. For her charge of involuntary manslaughter, she was sentenced to serve 10 years with seven years suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation upon release. The probation time will run concurrently.