Bucksport Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Death of 2-Year-Old

A Bucksport woman is sentenced to 10 years in prison for the death of her former boyfriend's 2-year-old daughter.

22-year-old Savannah Smith pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Thursday before receiving her sentence. She's accused of causing the death of 2-year-old Khloe Hawksley in 2017. At the time, Smith was dating Khloe's father, Tyler Hawksley.

The toddler was found deceased in her bed at her Bucksport home. An autopsy revealed that she had died of blunt force trauma to her abdomen, which had severed her small intestine from her stomach. Officials say Khloe had been the victim of repeated abuse.

WABI-TV reports that Smith addressed the court, saying that she was sorry for what happened and that she hopes, one day, Khloe's family can forgive her. Smith had previously pleaded not guilty in 2017, but changed her plea this week.