Girl, 16, gets life for poisoning grandmother

updated 5:33 p.m. ET Oct. 31, 2008

ADRIAN, Mich. - A 16-year-old girl who killed her grandmother by poisoning her with morphine was sentenced Friday to life in prison with a chance for parole in 20 years.

Kristina Adkins cried as she apologized for poisoning Virginia Bentley in 2006. Adkins was 13 at the time.

Probate Judge Margaret Noe opted to sentence Adkins as an adult. She could have placed her in a juvenile facility until age 21 and then evaluated whether prison should be appropriate, court administrator David Stanifer said.

"She was very emotional and was crying," Stanifer said of Adkins. "I think she realized some serious consequences were going to hit."

"The judge received numerous letters from family members, both supporting a light sentence and a very severe sentence," Stanifer said.

Adkins pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Oct. 10. Her attorney, Mike McFarland, claims she was mistreated by Bentley, 53.

He did not immediately respond to a message Friday seeking comment.

Lenawee County is on the Michigan-Ohio border.

More from msnbc.com First Read: Palin on creationism, Clinton, Fey Ice addict heads for poles, Everest | Trek posts Daily Nightly: Tim McGraw helps neighbors in need Were you paying attention? Take our weekly quiz World Blog: China puts foot down on 'Oba Mao' T-shirts Stimulus tracker: See where millions of dollars went On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Mom of missing 5-year-old girl charged Funerals held for some Fort Hood victims Madoff's Mets jacket sells for $14,500 Obama: Congress should wait on Fort Hood Former congressman sentenced to 13 years ‘Balloon boy’ parents plead guilty Evangelist gets 175 years for child sex Lawmaker: Hasan linked to Pakistan Suspected serial killer had previous arrest Dugard suspect apologizes for ‘sexual problem’ Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: