Woman pleads guilty to child abuse

Associated Press

TULSA, Okla. -- A Tulsa County judge has imposed a one-year prison term on a woman who already has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the death of a 2-year-old boy at her day care.

District Judge Clancy Smith on Monday ordered Vicki Leigh Chiles to serve the sentence concurrently, or at the same time, as her longer term.

Chiles, 43, was recently convicted of first-degree murder in the May 17, 2007, death of Joshua Minton of Sperry. Joshua died Chiles bound his mouth and hands with masking tape at her in-home center.

A medical examiner said the child had excess fluid in his brain and lungs because of an airway obstruction.

Chiles told police she taped the child's mouth because he was fussy during nap time.

In the latest case, Chiles pleaded guilty to child abuse as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

She was accused of striking an 8-year-old boy with a fly swatter in April 2007.