Stepmom, wife of custodial dad, sentenced to life for murder of 5-year-old daughter (Chesapeake, Virginia)

We've posted on custodial dad JOSHUA SAWYER many times. He's already been convicted of murder in the torture death of his 5-year-old daughter--that was back in October. Now the lovely step has been convicted too.

For more information on the "vicious custody battle" that allowed this killer daddy to get possession of this child, see this link:

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_wavy_police_investigate_childs_death_20090611

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/chesapeake/stepmother-sentenced-to-life-in-prison

Stepmother sentenced to life in prison
Stepdaughter was 5 years old when killed
Updated: Friday, 10 Dec 2010, 1:58 PM EST
Published : Friday, 10 Dec 2010, 1:41 PM EST

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - A Chesapeake woman was sentenced to life in prison for killing her stepdaughter in June 2009.

Brandy Sawyer, 23, pleaded guilty to killing her stepdaughter, Carly Sawyer as part of a plea deal back in May.

Carly was just five years old when officers responded to her Oliver Avenue home to investigate a complaint of child abuse. Police said the little girl was confined in a box, tied up, beaten and denied food.

A medical examiner ruled the cause of Carly's death as blunt force trauma and said starvation and medical neglect also contributed to her death.

During her sentencing hearing Friday, Brandy Sawyer apologized to the court and said she was "coward." She told the court she "[loved] Carly like her own" and wished she could go back.

Judge Randy Smith said, "This is one of the most horrible cases that could come before the court. A child has been tortured to death. This is one of the most horrific murder cases a court can consider."

Brandy was on the stand for about 45 minutes and detailed a life of addiction and abuse. She said she was physically and emotionally abused by her mother and even smoked crack with her mother while growing up. She also said she was abused by Carly's father, Joshua Sawyer.

Joshua Sawyer, was also sentenced to life behind bars in connection with his daughter's death back in October.

WAVY News 10's Ava Hurdle is covering this story and will have the very latest beginning tonight on WAVY News 10 at 5.