Mom Who Killed Disabled Daughter Must Return To Prison

SCHAUMBURG, IL — A Schaumburg mother who admitted to feeding her 28-year-old developmentally disabled daughter a fatal amount of medication in 2015 must return to jail next week to continue serving her four-year prison term, according to ABC 7 Chicago. As part of a deal with prosecutors last year, Bonnie Liltz pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of her daughter, Courtney, who suffered from cerebal palsy. Prosecutors accused Liltz of giving Courtney the lethal dose via the victim's feeding tube before the 58-year-old tried to take her own life.

In October, the Illinois Supreme Court refused to hear Liltz's appeal of her sentence. Her lawyer, Thomas Glasgow, argued that his client would not survive in prison because the Illinois Department of Corrections cannot treat her medical problems. Liltz, a two-time cancer survivor, suffers from small intestine issues caused by ovarian cancer, which she was diagnosed with at 19.

Liltz originally pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the case in May of 2016. But she changed her plea as part of an agreement with prosecutors, who recommended probation for four years. Cook County Judge Joel Greenblatt, however, handed down the harsher punishment, contending that "[l]ife is precious … even a life that is profoundly disabled."

According to prosecutors, Liltz emptied the contents of drug capsules into her daughter's feeding tube before ingesting the same medication herself and washing it down with a glass of wine as part of a suicide attempt. Both women were rushed to the hospital, but doctors only were able to revive Liltz.

"I am so sorry to put you all through this but I can't leave my daughter behind. … I don't want her to live in an institution for the rest of her life. She is my life," Liltz wrote in a note found at the scene.

More Patch Coverage:

• Is Probation Enough For Mom Who Fed Disabled Daughter Lethal Pills?
• Mom Who Fed Disabled Daughter Lethal Pills Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison
• Bonnie Liltz Hospitalized For Possible Infection
• Mom Who Killed Disabled Daugther Granted Bail During Appeal
• State Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Appeal; Liltz Must Serve 4-Year Sentence

Despite her actions, Liltz described herself as a loving and devoted mother who had become overwhelmed by the around-the-clock care her daughter required. Although her sentence was prison as opposed to probation, the four-year term is less than the 14-year maximum she could have received.

So far, Liltz has only served 73 days of her sentence, ABC 7 reports. She was hospitalized in May of 2016 for an infection, dehydration and other health issues that dropped her weight to about 84 pounds. In August of 2016, an appeals court issued an appeallate bond, and she has been free while her case has been reviewed.

As it stands now, Liltz must report back to prison by 1 p.m. Monday, according to ABC 7. But she could still have her sentence reduced after that. In January, her case will go before the Prisoner Review Board, and she has asked Gov. Bruce Rauner to grant her clemency, the report added.

More via ABC 7 Chicago

Bonnie Liltz, 58 (Photo via Illinois Department of Corrections)