FREDERICK, Md. (Map, News) - A Frederick woman accused of poisoning her young daughter to evoke sympathy for herself was ordered Thursday to serve 15 years of a 25-year sentence.

Wendi Scott, 33, pleaded guilty in March to first-degree child abuse for sickening her 4-year-old daughter to draw attention to herself, poisoning her with magnesium and using syringes to remove blood.

Dr. Arthur deLorimier is a lieutenant colonel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where Cristina Scott was treated. He testified in Frederick County Circuit Court on Thursday that the girl, now 5 years old, faces increased risks of cancer from repeated radiological tests. She is developmentally delayed and in danger of emotional problems.

The abuse for which Wendi Scott was convicted occurred from May to June 2007, while the family was living at Fort Detrick.

"The impact on all involved is hard for me to face," Scott told Judge G. Edward Dwyer Jr. "I have made a bad decision, one I will carry with me to my grave." Scott continued that she was ready to pay for her mistakes. "I am in continuing anguish for (my daughter)," she said. "My heart will never be the same, but I am determined to do all I can to become a better person."

Cristina Scott lives with her younger brother and maternal grandparents in Georgia.

Assistant State's Attorney Lindell K. Angel said Thursday that Scott wanted others to believe her daughter had leukemia. Prosecutors had alleged that Scott's behavior was consistent with Munchausen syndrome by proxy, in which a caregiver fakes or induces illness in another to generate sympathy.

During the six-hour sentencing hearing, defense attorney Mary Drawbaugh urged Dwyer to confine Scott to her home, which would allow her to continue to received counseling. Two doctors testified Scott needed intensive psychotherapy to deal with severe mental illnesses.

The judge said deLorimier's testimony showed the need for a strong punishment.

---

Information from: The Frederick (Md.) News-Post, http://www.fredericknewspost.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

2:52 PM MST on Thu., Sep. 20, 2007 re: "Ocean City mother considering suit after murder charges dropped"

Examiner Reader said:
She's evil. Trash bags, trunks, stowed under bathroom sinks?? I don't think others messed up her reputation...she's done a great job on herself.

9 agree | 10 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

12:41 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 31, 2007 re: "Yard Dug Up After 4 Tiny Bodies Found"

Examiner Reader said:
According to this article, things in the world is really getting out of hand. When I first heard about this, I was stunned I mean come on now who would want to hurt a baby, that is like so sad. From my opinon I think they need to find Freeman guilty, lock her up and throw away the key, tell you the truth she need to be sentenced to the death penalty. But I'm wondering the medical examiner examined that the baby boy found under the sink was in it's 26th week of pregnacy, but when Freeman was examined it was read that she had had a baby in it's 35th -36th week of pregnacy, so I'm guessing that the baby was probably not even hers, but then I'm also wondering who the other babies were. Well you heard my comment about Freeman and I thik should be done, because that's just sick.

51 agree | 49 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate