Only in America. Or at least, I’d like to think so.

A woman accused of neglecting her severely disabled son and letting him starve to death was sentenced yesterday to nine years in prison.

According to prosecutors, Angela Cheral Bernard, 34, of Rolando called 911 on Dec. 17, 2005, to report her son’s death. An autopsy on Dec. 30 revealed that the boy weighed 28 pounds and had skin ulcers with protruding bone.

Brandon, her son, was born with cerebral palsy and required 24-hour care. He was unable to walk or speak. Family members described him as a happy child who communicated through smiles, tears and laughter.

What a sad story this is. If you feel like reading the rest, you can do so here.