A French woman has been sentenced to life in prison for the starvation death of her 13-year-old daughter, Amandine. Sandrine Pissarra received the sentence on January 24, following a court ruling regarding the tragic case that began in August 2020.
Amandine tragically passed away weighing only 28 kg (62 lbs) at just five feet one inch tall. Reports indicate that she showed signs of severe neglect, including a swollen face, missing teeth, infected wounds, and hair loss.
The incident occurred in their home in Montblanc, located southwest of Montpellier. Amandine suffered extreme weight loss and muscle wasting as she was kept in a storage room and denied food for long periods.
On the day she died, Pissarra claimed that her daughter was dealing with eating disorders and had consumed a small amount of food before vomiting and subsequently stopping breathing.
In court, Pissarra, 54, expressed that she mistreated Amandine because she reminded her of her father, describing herself as “a monstrous mother.” The court heard accounts of severe abuse, including physical violence and psychological torment, which lasted for a decade.
Investigators concluded that Amandine was subjected to abuse aimed at humiliating her. She experienced deprivation of food, harsh punishments, and was monitored by cameras while confined to a storage space.
A psychiatrist described Pissarra as angry and violent, indicating she was projecting her hatred of Amandine’s father onto her daughter. In her final statement in court, Pissarra stated, “I want to apologize to my children, that’s all.”
Additionally, Amandine’s father figure, Jean-Michel Cros, received a 20-year prison sentence with no chance of early release for his part in the abuse during his time caring for her.
