Baby sitter sentenced to 40 years in toddler death

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A Springfield woman has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the death of an 18-month-old boy she was baby-sitting.

The State Journal-Register reports a Sangamon County judge sentenced 35-year-old Jennifer Bernal on Tuesday. Anthony Joseph Romanotto was found with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain on Dec. 9, 2008. Bernal was baby-sitting him at the time. The boy died after emergency surgery in Peoria the next day.

Prosecutors requested a 50-year sentence, arguing Bernal didn’t immediately call for help. Bernal’s public defender requested 25 years, saying she had a minor criminal history and is the mother of two daughters.

Public defenders said the case would be appealed.