Dubuque woman accused of killing her daughter will serve 78 years in prison

MANCHESTER - Tamelia Harris, accused of killing her 20-month-old daughter, agreed to a plea deal on Monday.

The plea eliminates a first degree murder charge. Instead, both the defense and prosecution agreed to six counts which Harris plead guilty to in Delaware County Court. The plea required the judge to sentence Harris to the maximum prison time for each count.

Harris was sentenced to 78 years in prison, a consecutive sentence.

Harris waived her right for a 15 day delay before sentencing. Harris told the judge she wanted to be sentenced at the pre-trial hearing Monday.

Dubuque Assistant County Attorney Chris Corken says they agreed to a plea because she wasn't sure if they would be able to prove first degree murder. Instead of risking a jury finding Harris not guilty, Corken says they pursued six separate counts that would mandate Harris to spend 78 years in prison. The defense stated that the plea eliminated a life in prison term and gives Harris the eligibility for parole.

Harris had been charged with negligence after allegedly giving investigators false information about the whereabouts of the missing 20-month-old, Cecilia Denise Harris. Earlier this year, Dubuque police say they found human remains on the property where Harris lived.

Authorities say Tamelia Harris told investigators she sent Cecilia to live with her grandmother in North Carolina who

later told police she hadn't seen the child.