Arkansas caregiver gets 20 years in biting attack, death

An Arkansas caregiver has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in the biting attack on a 92-year-old woman who later died.

Jennifer Lea Collins, 56, of Mammoth Spring pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder, according to a news release Wednesday from the 3rd Judicial Circuit prosecuting attorney's office.

Records show that Collins will serve 20 years, in addition to a 10-year suspended sentence.

She was initially arrested on a charge of first-degree battery. That charge was later upgraded to second-degree murder after the death of Cherokee Village resident Jane Sandefur.

Sandefur was attacked in her home by Collins, who had been hired as her caregiver, on May 11, 2017, authorities said. Sandefur was discovered by her son and told emergency responders that Collins had hit her and beaten her, the release states.

Police said Sandefur also suffered "multiple bite wounds." The 92-year-old later succumbed to complications from pneumonia, which was brought on by the attack.

ADVERTISEMENT

More headlines

Metro on 06/21/2018

Upcoming Events