NEW YORK – A New York judge has sentenced a Florida woman to nearly 11 years in prison for using fictitious names and repeatedly lying to adopt 11 disabled children. Authorities say she pocketed over $1 million and then abused the children.
Judge Richard Berman sentenced 63-year-old Judith Leekin in Manhattan on Tuesday.
She also faces charges in Florida for the fraud and alleged abuse that stretched from 1988 until last year. She lived in New York for half of the time.
Leekin is required to forfeit $1.68 million in subsidies as part of a plea deal.
She admitted using fake names to adopt the children and producing phony school report cards when they didn't go to school. She also has admitted restraining the children with plastic ties.
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