CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – A woman sentenced to prison for killing her boyfriend was in Merrimack County Superior Court on Monday asking to be released to a drug treatment center because she is pregnant.
Caryn Acevedo, 24, was sentenced May 30 to serve three years and three months up to seven years for negligent homicide in the death of William Burns. Authorities said Burns was stabbed in the back, but Acevedo said she acted in self-defense.
At the sentencing, a judge said she could get a year off the minimum if she successfully completed programs for drug and alcohol abuse, anger management and mental health counseling.
While free on bail before the sentencing, Acevedo became pregnant by her new boyfriend. In September, she asked that her sentence be modified so she could be moved to the Odyssey Family Center, a residential substance abuse center.
The Attorney General’s office opposed the move, saying there was no valid reason to shorten her sentence. Prosecutors also said the center is not affiliated with the state prison system and has an open campus.
Prison officials said pregnant inmates get regular treatment at the prison and deliver at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester.
Court records show the child’s father is seeking custody of the child.
A judge did not immediately rule.
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Information from: WMUR-TV, http://wmur.com
AP-ES-11-20-06 1559EST
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