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Babysitter gets
life sentence

The woman must serve
15 years before being eligible
for parole in the '97 death
of a 6-month-old girl

By Suzanne Tswei
Star-Bulletin

Earlily Aganon was sentenced today to life in prison with a 15-year mandatory term and the possibility of parole in the death of a 6-month-old girl she was babysitting.

District Judge John Bryant also ordered Aganon to pay $3,621 in restitution to the child's family.

Jocelyn, the mother of Karie Canencia, wiped away tears as the sentence was pronounced. She and other family members left the courtroom without comment.

"I'm aware of the seriousness of the crime," Aganon told the judge. "Future dreams are shattered and lives are altered forever."

In February, Aganon was found guilty of second-degree murder in the 1997 death of the girl, who died of severe brain injury.

She was babysitting the infant when she became ill.

The prosecution said the child could have been struck on the head.

The defense attorney had asked for a shorter term, noting that Aganon is a Philippine citizen and will be deported after whatever term she serves.