New York

New York Mom Sentenced for Killing Adopted Teen Son, Burning Down Home

What to Know

  • NY mom was sentenced to up to 11 years in prison for working with husband to kill their teenage adopted son, burning down home in coverup
  • Heather Franklin pleaded guilty to manslaughter, arson; Ernest Franklin was sentenced last week to 21 years to life for murder, arson
  • They were charged in the February 2017 death of 16-year-old Jeffrey Franklin, who was deaf and had behavior issues

A woman has been sentenced to up to 11 years in prison for working with her husband to kill their teenage adopted son and burn down their central New York home to cover it up.

Heather Franklin pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson in April. She was sentenced Monday by Chenango County Judge Frank Revoir.

A jury convicted her husband, Ernest Franklin, of murder and arson. He was sentenced last week to 21 years to life in prison.

They were charged in the February 2017 death of 16-year-old Jeffrey Franklin, who was deaf and had behavior issues. Prosecutors say they were inspired by the movie "Manchester by the Sea," where a father isn't prosecuted after he accidentally starts a fire that kills his children.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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