Crime & Safety

Speak Out: Charges Reduced in Toddler's Death

Bristow mother who left son in car for several hours back in June, resulting in his death, will not serve more jail time.

WTOP is reporting a local mother who was charged with murder after leaving her 2-year-old son in the family car last June for seven hours will not serve any jail time.

Murder charges against Karen Murphy, of nearby Bristow, were reduced to child neglect, and she pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts in a Prince William County courtroom Monday.

Murphy was sentenced to six years probation with a two year suspended jail term, according to the report. She must also perform 400 hours of community service.

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Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Paul Ebert said he didn't think justice would be served by making Murphy spend more time in jail.

The June incident was not the first time Murphy had left the young boy in the car. In January 2011, the boy was left in the family's minivan for a few hours, until his daycare called Murphy asking where he was.

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