PULASKI (WSLS 10) – Ashley White, the mother of Noah Thomas, was sentenced to one year and 11 months in prison on Tuesday morning.
White was convicted in February of three felony counts of child abuse and neglect. Her 5-year-old son's body was found in a septic tank on the family's property in March 2015.
She was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but will only have to serve 23 months of that sentence. With credit for time served, she is expected to be released sometime in November. While will also receive 15 years of probation on her release, the maximum amount of time recommended by the sentencing guidelines.
The prosecution acted for a sentence of 10 years in prison, saying the manner in which Noah died is unthinkable and unspeakable and warrants going above the sentencing guidelines.
The defense argued that what happened when Noah went missing was abnormal for that family and that he was cared for, happy and healthy.
During Tuesday's hearing, the Commonwealth called a probation officer as a witness, while the defense called four witnesses.
An OBGYN who treated White for drug addiction while pregnant with Abigail testified that while White tested positive for marijuana the first time, the 23 times after that she tested negative.
A St. Albans counselor who saw White for about a year testified that White said she was happy to get treatment and provide a better life for her kids. White saw the counselor from April 2014-March 2015.
One of White's childhood friends, as well as a clergywoman who visited White and other inmates testified. The clergywoman spoke about White's spiritual progression.
White did not speak during the hearing.
Noah's father, Paul Thomas, was at the hearing. He was recently released from prison following a 15-month sentence back in march for child abuse and neglect.