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Babysitter Gets 25 Years For Molesting Girl

BAY CITY (WWJ/AP) - A 31-year-old Bay City woman has been sentenced to at least 25 years in prison after being found guilty of molesting a 2-year-old girl she was babysitting.

The Bay City Times reports that Patricia Kreiner received the mandatory sentence of between 25 years and 40 years in prison during her sentencing Monday in Bay County Circuit Court. A jury in December found her guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 13.

Kreiner says she is innocent and was "never given a fair chance." Defense attorney Bruce Mannikko says the sentence isn't proportionate to the crime committed.

Authorities say Kreiner, a mother of four, admitted in an interview to inappropriately touching the girl last May. According to court records, the girl's mother suspected abuse after picking her up from Kreiner and finding blood in her pull-up diaper.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Nancy Borushko says Kreiner isn't taking responsibility for her actions.

"This is the sexual abuse of an infant. There are very few crimes greater than this, and I feel 25 years is entirely appropriate," said Borushko.

TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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