French Mother Sentenced to Life for Starving Daughter

Sandrine Pissarra, a 54-year-old French mother, has been sentenced to life in prison for the torture and starvation of her daughter Amandine, who died at the age of 13 in August 2020. Amandine, weighing only 28 kg (62 lbs) and suffering from severe health issues, was subjected to physical abuse and locked in a windowless storage room for weeks without food. Pissarra admitted to her crimes in court, describing herself as a 'monstrous mother' and citing her daughter's resemblance to her father as a reason for the abuse. Her ex-partner, Jean-Michel Cros, received a 20-year sentence for his role in the mistreatment. The prosecution portrayed Pissarra as a 'domestic tyrant' and called for her to serve at least 20 years before being eligible for parole. Amandine's tragic case has drawn attention to the severe consequences of child abuse and neglect in France.