Wanita Gale Jackson who also used several aliases, was sentenced to 20 years in prison with all but five years suspended after entering a guilty plea to second degree murder or in the alternative child neglect in the July 27, 2015 drowning death of her four-year-old niece at Lake Ponca.
Jackson and the childs grandmother were charged after officials determined the pair brought 16 children to the beach and did not provide adequate supervision. The grandmother was convicted and sentenced to 20 years with credit for time served.
Jackson had left the lake to go to a store and purchase cigarettes and was not there when the drowning occurred.
Jackson reportedly stated to a police officer the child was on a floating device and knew how to swim. She told the officer she had not seen her for at least 15 minutes before someone found her.
Jackson, who is pregnant and must start her prison time four weeks after giving birth, must serve 17.5 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Aunt sentenced in drowning death.
