COLORADO SPRINGS — A woman accused of trying to kill her five children by setting them on fire has reached a plea agreement. Maria Darlene Gardner pleaded guilty Friday to child abuse causing death and four counts of child abuse causing serious bodily injury. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop a first-degree murder count and 11 other charges.
Gardner, who also uses the last name Joseph, faces up to 85 years in prison when she is sentenced Feb. 20.
Authorities allege she poured gas on her five children as they slept and then set them ablaze on Jan. 28, 2008. Sixteen-month-old Ashia Joseph died. The other four children, ages 3 to 9, were severely burned.
Gardner had previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The Associated Press
