Erin Hendrix Sentenced to 15 Years to Life

It was a foregone conclusion what Erin Hendrix's punishment would be.

Lake County Common Pleas Judge Lucci could only give Hendrix, 29, formerly of Mentor, a prison sentence of 15 years to life this morning.

Hendrix was convicted of complicity to both attempted aggravated murder and contaminating someone's food, drink or medication,  by a jury Feb. 28. However, because all the charges came from a single course of action, she could only be punished for the most serious crime, according to a decision by the Ohio Supreme Court.

In this case, the most serious charge was complicity to contamination.

Hendrix was accused and convicted of helping to poison her infant daughter, Hannah, with lead nitrate.

Hendrix and her defense attorney, Steven Bradley, did not make statements during her sentencing hearing. Bradley explained that it would make no difference what they said because the judge had no leeway in punishment.

However, Assistant Lake County Prosecutor Lisa Neroda thought there were still things that needed to be said.

"The defendant was the victim's mother; and, as a mother, she was supposed to protect Hannah," Neroda said.

She added that the lead Hannah ingested will probably be in her body for another 20 to 30 years and the poisoning caused 40 IQ points worth of brain damage.

Hannah is now 3 years old and has been in the custody of Lake County Job and Family Services since July 2009. She has a genetic disorder called CHARGE syndrome

Then Rachel Heflen read a statement for Hannah's foster parents, who could not make it to the sentencing.

"Hannah will never reach her full potential due to the severity of the continual lead poisoning," Heflen said.

Heflen said this crime would later cause emotional damage to Hannah, in addition to the physical damage already done.

"(Hannah) will ultimately want to know where her mom is and why she's there," Heflen said. "Then she will ask herself why her own mother would do that."

Hendrix did not react when Lucci gave her the only sentence he could.

After the hearing, Neroda thanked the Mentor Police Department and everyone else who helped with the investigation and prosecution of Hendrix.

Bradley said he "definitely" planned to appeal the conviction.

"This is a tragedy all around," Bradley said. "All around."