SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A San Antonio grandmother has been sentenced
to 18 years in prison in connection with the 2005 drowning death of
her 3-month-old granddaughter.
     
The San Antonio Express-News reports that because the Bexar
County jury considered the water in the swimming pool a deadly
weapon, Gabriella Sigler must serve half of the sentence before
being eligible for parole.
     
Sigler, who was sentenced Thursday, had pleaded guilty to injury
to a child resulting in serious bodily injury.
     
She was watching the baby when she allegedly ignored her son's
warnings and put Melody Sigler in the pool.
     
Defense witnesses testified Sigler was suffering from a manic
episode caused by bipolar disorder. Police said Sigler admitted to
using drugs the night before and drinking wine the morning Melody
died.
     
     
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
     
AP-NY-07-03-09 1202EDT