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Ex-CMU Student Gets Jail Time In Poisoning Case

MOUNT PLEASANT (WWJ/AP) - A former Central Michigan University student accused of putting bleach in her roommate's glass of iced tea following a dispute over dirty dishes will spend four months under house arrest and four months in jail.

Ninteen-year-old Kayla Bonkowski was also sentenced Friday in Isabella County Trial Court to three years' probation.

The Sterling Heights resident, who told the judge she's 18 weeks pregnant, pleaded guilty last month in the attempted poisoning of Emily Joseph at their off-campus apartment in November.

Bonkowski, who described Joseph as her best friend and sorority sister, cried as she read a letter in court, apologizing to the victim and her family.

Authorities say on Nov. 11, Bonkowski put bleach in a glass of iced tea at the apartment in Union Township, located near the Mount Pleasant school. She told a judge Friday she knew Joseph would drink the beverage and she knew it could cause injury.

Bonkowski, a graduate of Warren Cousino High School, allegedly told police that she poisoned the drink because Joseph is "mean." Police say the girls were apparently having an argument over dirty dishes.

Bonkowski's record will be cleared if she successfully completes probation and other conditions.

School officials say Bonkowski dropped her classes at CMU after her December arrest.

TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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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