A member of the Northern Ute Tribe of Utah who pleaded guilty to abusing her two grandsons faces a delay in sentencing because federal prosecutors are seeking a harsher punishment..

Charlissa Sireech pleaded guilty to seven felony counts of assault. She admitted she beat Jose Rodriguez, 4, so badly that he went into a coma. Emilio Rodriguez, 3, was also abused. Their 2-year-old sister, Mona, was not harmed.

A presentence report recommended Sireech received 10 years to 12-1/2 years in prison but federal authorities have asked for a longer sentence. A federal judge set August 23 as the new date to give the defense time to respond to the prosecutors' request.

The children have since been sent to live with their paternal grandparents in California. The state had turned them over to the Ute Tribe under the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Get the Story:
Stiffer penalty sought in toddler abuse case (The Salt Lake Tribune 7/21)

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