Florida woman who killed her 9-year old cousin by sitting on her as a form of punishment has been jailed for life

A 66-year old Florida woman who killed her cousin by sitting on her as a form of punishment, has been sentenced to life in prison.

Veronica Green Posey was sentenced after jurors convicted her of first-degree felony murder. Her late little cousin, Dericka Lindsay had suffered horrific beatings from Posey, and Lindsay’s adoptive parents, James and Grace Smith because she didn’t ‘behave’.

Paramedics and deputies responded to the family’s home following a 911 call in October 2017. Posey sat on Lindsay for more than five minutes, causing the girl to die from a lack of oxygen, officials said.

Posey’s attorney said the woman, who weighs approximately 320 pounds, was trying to help the Smiths and did not mean to hurt the girl.

The medical examiner said Lindsay had “severe bruising on her buttocks” due to “injury, on top of injury, on top of injury”. James Smith was previously sentenced to 10 years for his role in Lindsay’s death. Grace Smith still faces charges but is currently mentally and physically unfit to stand trial.