Mom Pleads Guilty to Obstruction in Girl’s Death

The mother of a 7-year-old Illinois girl who authorities say was stabbed to death by her uncle was sentenced to 120 days in jail.

Willow Long's mother, Ciara DeRyke, pleaded guilty to a single obstruction count Tuesday as part of a deal with prosecutors.

Investigators say DeRyke lied to police, telling them she'd seen Long in September, even though the girl was already dead.

The 26-year-old Effingham woman will also have to spend 18 months on probation.

The Effingham Daily News reports she could be released in early February with credit for time served since her arrest in December.

Investigators say Justin DeRyke said he killed his niece to "put her out of her misery" after she fell and pierced her neck.