PENSACOLA, Fla. — A Florida woman who sat and smothered a 9-year-old girl has been sentenced to life in prison.

A jury on Friday convicted 66-year-old Veronica Posey of first degree murder in the death of her cousin, Dericka Lindsay.

According to WFTV , authorities said Dericka’s parents, Grace Joan Smith and James Edmund Smith, wanted Posey’s help to punish the child on Oct. 14, 2017.

Posey reportedly hit the girl with a ruler and a metal pipe before Dericka ran to an armchair. WFTV reports the 320-pound woman then sat on top of Dericka for at least five minutes before the girl complained that she could not breathe.

The Pensacola News Journal said when Posey stood, she found the child unresponsive and called 911. They also reported the autopsy found the lack of oxygen killed Dericka, who also suffered severe bruising.

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PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say a 325-pound woman has been charged with killing a 9-year-old girl by sitting on the child as punishment.

The Pensacola News Journal reports that 64-year-old Veronica Green Posey was arrested Saturday and charged with homicide and cruelty toward a child.

Paramedics and deputies responded to the family's Pensacola home following a 911 call. Posey told deputies she was sitting on Dericka Lindsay because the girl was out of control. During the punishment, Dericka told Posey and two other adult relatives that she couldn't breathe. When Posey got up, Dericka wasn't breathing.

The two other adults face neglect charges.

Posey was released Monday on $125,000 bail. Escambia County jail records didn't list an attorney.

The Florida Department of Children and Families confirmed that the family had a previous interaction with the agency.

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Information from: Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com