GEN-Torture Death Of A 7 Year Old Boy

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No Contest Plea in Torture Death of Adopted 7-Year-Old Boy Who Weighed Only 27 Pounds

The Associated Press Published: Jul 24, 2001

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - A woman accused of murder in the torture death of her adopted son pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 55 years in prison Tuesday in a case that brought changes in Florida's child protection system. Heather Ciambrone, 32, was charged in the death of 7-year-old Lucas, who weighed 27 pounds when he died. Investigators found he had been kept locked in a bathroom and had bruises, scratches and broken ribs.

Ciambrone's husband, Joseph Ciambrone, was convicted of murder in 1997 and sentenced to life. He has blamed Lucas' death on his wife.

The Ciambrones were allowed to adopt Lucas even though a caseworker, a doctor and others had expressed concerns.

The Department of Children and Families has since created an early-warning system to handle abuse reports more efficiently.

AP-ES-07-24-01 1655EDT

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001


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