Woman sentenced for poisoning sons

A Chicago woman accused of trying to kill her 3-year-old and 10-month-old children by spiking their juice drink with rat poison and boric acid has pleaded guilty to charges.

Shortly after entering her guilty plea Tuesday, 25-year-old Johanna Vera was sentenced by Cook County Circuit Judge Mary Margaret Brosnahan to more than eight years in prison.

Before her sentencing, Vera, speaking in Spanish and through a translator, said she is sorry for what happened, expressing hope she will reconnect with her sons after her release.

No one died as a result of drinking the juice, but the boys and Vera, who also drank poison, were hospitalized after the Nov. 29, 2007 incident.

Vera allegedly told police she wanted to die and take her children with her after her ex-boyfriend said he no longer loved her.