Sandrine Pissarra, 54, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years in France after starving and abusing one of her daughters, Amandine, 13, to death.
The mother of eight’s heinous acts on her daughter were for the strangest reasons, and the sentencing came five years after her daughter’s tragic death, but after all, better late than never.
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The state Amandine was in
Amandine was found dead in August 2020 weighing only 28 kg (62 lbs) at five feet and one inch tall.
According to the medical report obtained by France 24, there was remarkable weight and muscle loss and septicemia. In addition, she had lost several teeth and her hair had been pulled out.
What is septicemia?
According to the Cleveland Clinic: “Septicemia is an infection that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread. It can lead to sepsis, the body’s reaction to the infection, which can cause organ damage and even death.”
More about Amandine’s death
Amandine passed away in Montblanc village, southwest of Montpellier in France.
Her torture consisted of being locked in a storage room and food deprivation for weeks at a time. She also suffered from infected wounds that led to her septicemia and a swollen face.
Pissarra tried to hide the truth
Pissarra tried to cover up her daughter’s death, saying that she had an eating disorder. She claimed that her daughter swallowed a piece of sugar, some fruit puree, and a high-protein drink which led to her vomiting and her breath stopping.
Why she abused her daughter
The only justification Pissarra gave for her actions was “she looked like her father,” though she admitted to being “a monstrous mother,” according to Metro.
Due to her ruthless actions on her 13-year-old daughter, she has been in custody since May 2021.
Pissarra’s former partner was also punished
Pissarra’s former partner, Jean-Michel Cros, 49, was sentenced to 20 years in prison without a chance for parole, due to Amandine’s suffering during the time he “cared” for her. She suffered from her mother’s abuse as well for a decade and Cros was a part of it.
Pissarra’s MO
In the court hearing on January 24, it was revealed that Amandine was punched, kicked, and hit with brooms. Furthermore, she’d pull her hair, insult and jostle her, agonizingly humiliating her daughter and leading to her untimely death.
It didn’t stop at this
Investigators and the court concluded that Amandine gravely suffered from her mother’s barbaric abuse. Amandine had to deal with food deprivation, writing punishments, and being locked in a storage room, under surveillance of cameras.
The psychiatric evaluation explained a lot
The psychiatric evaluation elaborated on Pissarra’s anger and violence as she aimed to “transfer her hatred” of Amandine’s father to her daughter.
The investigating magistrate concluded that Pissarra’s torture was “the sole purpose of which was to drag her into shameful and humiliating agony.”
The defense wanted to sink others with Pissarra
Pissarra’s defense team argued in court that adults who have seen Amandine such as ex-partners of Pissarra, friends, neighbors, doctors, social workers, teachers, or magistrates must also be held accountable since it is a “collective responsibility.”
