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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

Sarah Tatum sentenced to five years in prison

Sarah Tatum sentenced to five years in prison

Sarah Tatum, the former UA student who pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on her newborn, was sentenced to five years in prison and to pay $100,000 in restitution on Friday.

Tatum gave birth to a 7-pound boy in an Arizona-Sonora Residence Hall shower on Feb. 23, 2009.

The infant was in University Medical Center’s care until March 12, 2009, and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The child was adopted its first week out of the hospital, according to Laura Udall, Tatum’s attorney in a previous interview.

“”It is a closed adoption by her choice, she contacted Catholic Social Services right away and that’s been her plan all along,”” Udall said.

The adoptive parents spoke at the trial and said they didn’t believe Tatum should be judged harshly, according to an Arizona Daily Star report.

Tatum was indicted on March 17, 2009, and charged with attempted first-degree murder and child abuse.

She entered a plea on Sept. 7 for aggravated assault and child abuse.

The boy has cerebral palsy but tests show he may catch up developmentally, the Star reported.

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