SANFORD, Fla. – A woman arrested after leaving her 3-year-old child in a car in 2018 entered a plea before a judge on Thursday.
Casey Keller, 35, pleaded no contest to one count of felony child neglect. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said in June 2018, Keller left her 3-year-old daughter in her car for more than 12 hours outside her home. After the child was discovered, she was airlifted to the hospital with a temperature of 107 degrees.
According to detectives, Keller first claimed her car was stolen with the toddler inside, but an investigation later revealed she went to a liquor store the night before and left the girl in the backseat when she returned home.
Deputies said Keller's daughter was initially in critical condition but made a full recovery after receiving treatment.
After Thursday's hearing, defense attorney David Webster said his client is remorseful for what happened.
"She's doing everything in her power to make herself a better person and a better mom," Webster said.
Keller will be sentenced after testimony is heard during a pre-sentence investigation. The hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30 at 9 a.m.