Diane Camille Laurier didn’t say why she abused Chelsea Porter, a helpless 5-year-old disabled girl who was beaten and tormented in October 2003.
Laurier’s lawyer declined to comment about the whys.
And Chelsea’s grandmother said she doesn’t have a clue as to why the 50-year-old former practical nurse struck and tortured the girl while supposedly giving her 24-hour care.
What is known is that Laurier, who had never previously been convicted of a crime, was led away from a Snohomish County courtroom in handcuffs Wednesday after a judge sentenced her to 81/2 years in prison for assaulting the girl, now 7.
“It’s not often that we are struck by something that seems to be so incomprehensibly mean,” Superior Court Judge Stephen Dwyer said before pronouncing sentence.
Laurier had a chance to explain her actions to the judge but declined comment. Her lawyer, John Muenster of Seattle, said Laurier, 50, of Arlington had been a practical nurse for 26 years without any indication of wrongdoing.
She has four children and lots of family support, and Laurier has expressed sincere remorse, Muenster said.
“The person I know, I can’t visualize being involved in the situation she’s in,” Muenster said.
Muenster and deputy prosecutor Kathy Jo Kristof brokered a deal in October in which Laurier pleaded guilty to three counts of child abuse and admitted there were aggravating circumstances that called for a longer term than normal.
Kristof alleged that Laurier abused a trust, that the acts were deliberately cruel and the victim was particularly vulnerable.
Laurier’s nurse’s license has been suspended indefinitely because of the charges and conviction.
The abuse happened in the Mountlake Terrace home of the girl’s grandmother, Barbara Porter. A surveillance camera was installed because some items had been missing from the home.
The camera caught Laurier pulling Chelsea’s hair, hitting her in the face and head with her hand, placing blankets and towels over her face, roughly wiping her face with towels, and rubbing her face with dirty diapers.
The girl, who was injured at birth, requires 24-hour care. Laurier worked for a nursing service that had been hired to care for the girl.
A lawyer and family friend, Mike Hunsinger, read part of a letter written by Barbara Porter. Neither the grandmother nor Chelsea’s mother, Tami Porter of Everett, could read the words without crying, Hunsinger said.
The letter described the girl’s mistrust of her nurses now, and how it’s even hard to wipe her face with a towel. Because of the abuse, she’s “a different child,” the letter said.
After sentencing, Barbara and Tami Porter said they were glad they didn’t have to go through a trial and watch the surveillance video.
“I’m just glad it went the way it did,” Barbara Porter said.
Tami Porter added: “I’m kind of sad for her family, too. They lost their mother for eight years.”
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
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