Girl, 15, gets juvenile prison until 21 in sibling's death

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) - A 15-year-old suburban Chicago girl has been sentenced to juvenile prison for the fatal stabbing of her younger half-sister in January 2014.

The girl, who is not being identified because of her age, would be in juvenile prison until she is 21. She'll be eligible for parole after five years.

The girl read a statement at a formal sentencing hearing Tuesday saying that she's grateful she'll receive counseling and other help, and that she was tried as a juvenile. She also said she misses her sister.

"I have had a lot of time to think about the wrong I've done and what I want to do with my life," the girl said.

Her goal is to someday go to college and become a nurse. The girl said she's grateful she'll get a second chance.

"I'll get out at 21 and start my life over. Not everyone gets that chance," she said.

The girl pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in January and admitted she killed her 11-year-old sibling. Two of three murder charges against her were dropped as part of the plea agreement. The same sentence was announced by a judge at the time.

Prosecutors had said the girl stabbed her sister more than 30 times. They said the girl felt unappreciated, and defense attorney Michael Conway said she was helping take care of her younger sibling.

The Associated Press is not naming the victim because doing so would also identify the girl convicted.