Eulalia Vences, 55 of Elgin, pleaded guilty to starving a 7-year-old child, the Kane County State's Attorney Jamie L. Mosser said.
Vences and her co-defendant Natali Cruz-Gemchi took Cruz-Gemchi's child to the emergency room in cardiac arrest in March 2024.
At that time, the child only weighed 14 pounds, and showed symptoms of severe intentional physical torture, psychological torture, and medical neglect.
According to court records, the neglect began in March 2021.
Both Vences and Cruz-Gemchi were charged with multiple counts of aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery and child endangerment.
Vences was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated battery/great bodily harm. She must serve at least 85% of the sentence.
Cruz-Gemchi remains detained as her case is still pending.
"This is one of the most disturbing cases I have encountered," Assistant State's Attorney Lori Schmidt said. "The child, who fortunately survived the abuse, will face long-term medical complications and lifelong psychiatric consequences.