Former Queens Resident Gets 20 Years For Abusing Disabled Kids

A Florida woman received 20 years in prison Thursday after reaching a plea deal on charges that she abused 11 disabled children in New York City.

Judith Leekin, 63, pleaded no contest to four counts of aggravated child abuse and four counts of aggravated abuse of disabled adults. She is also accused of pocketing more than $1 million in subsidies.

Authorities say they found the children had been held like prisoners in Leekin's home, often handcuffed together and not allowed to use the bathroom.

Leekin apologized several times in court but received no sympathy from the circuit judge, who sentenced her to the maximum.

Leekin's public defender called the sentence "fair and appropriate."