ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An Albuquerque woman will not serve any time in jail after police say she attempted to cover up the rape of a 6-year-old girl living in her home.

Deputies say the child told school officials last year that her 15-year-old cousin raped her.

The little girl said Nicole Mitchell told her she’d be kicked out of the house if she told anyone.

According to a criminal complaint, detectives heard her telling the teen, “I told you I would protect you this time.”

In court Wednesday, Mitchell pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child abuse. She was facing up to three years behind bars.

But since she has no criminal record, the judge sentenced her to four and a half years’ probation.

“I’m going to defer sentencing and place you on supervised probation for that entire time period with zero tolerance,” said Judge Briana Zamora.

The case against Mitchell’s son is pending and he remains locked up.

The little girl is in Children, Youth and Families Department’s custody and could soon be back with her mother.

Mitchell’s boyfriend told deputies he also knew the girl was raped but didn’t call police. He is charged with child abuse.