Mom Who Starved Her 13-Year-Old Daughter
Amandine had suffered years of abuse, the court heard (BFM TV)

French Mother Faces Life Sentence for Decade-Long Abuse Leading to Daughter’s Death

In a harrowing case that has shocked France, Sandrine Pissarra, a 54-year-old mother of eight, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal starvation and prolonged abuse of her 13-year-old daughter, Amandine. The tragic death of Amandine in August 2020 revealed a decade of relentless punishment and violence, culminating in her untimely demise.

Amandine weighed a mere 62 pounds at the time of her death, suffering from extreme weight and muscle loss, septicemia, and multiple infected wounds. The medical report detailed the skeletal teenager’s swollen face, missing teeth, and hair that had been forcibly pulled out. For weeks, Amandine was confined in a windowless storage room, deprived of food,and subjected to unimaginable suffering, according to PEOPLE.

During the trial in Montpellier, prosecutors presented chilling evidence of the abuse. They recounted how Pissarra systematically assaulted Amandine with brooms, punches, kicks, and hand air-pulling, and subjected her to constant shouting, insults, and physical jostling. “From a young age, Amandine was tortured and degraded daily,” prosecutor Jean-Marie Beney stated, advocating for the harshest punishment.

Pissarra admitted to her crimes in court, describing herself as “a monstrous mother.” When questioned about her motives, she chillingly confessed, “Because she looked like her father.” This revelation underscored a deep-seated hatred that Pissarra transferred onto her daughter, driven by her resentment towards Amandine’s father.

Prosecutor Beney emphasized the severity of the case, declaring, “For a domestic tyrant, dictator of the home, executioner of Amandine, there can only be one sentence – a life term with a minimum of 20 years served in prison.” The court was also presented with evidence that Pissarra had been operating a nail salon while managing her abusive household.

In addition to Pissarra’s sentencing, her ex-partner, Jean-Michel Cros, 49, was also condemned for his role in depriving Amandine of care. Labeled a “cowardly collaborator,” Cros faces 30 years in prison and has expressed profound remorse, stating, “I feel enormous guilt about this.”

The investigation revealed that on the day of Amandine’s death, Pissarra falsely claimed that her daughter suffered from eating disorders—a claim that was not corroborated. She alleged that Amandine had ingested a piece of sugar, stewed fruit, and a high-protein drink before vomiting and ultimately ceasing to breathe.

The magistrate overseeing the case affirmed the undeniable evidence of sustained violence, asserting, “There is no doubt Amandine endured violence from her mother, the sole purpose of which was to drag her into shameful and humiliating agony.” The psychiatric assessment further revealed that Pissarra, characterized by anger and violence, sought to channel her hatred for Amandine’s father onto her daughter.

Pissarra has been in custody since May 2021, and the court’s decision to impose a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years marks a significant moment in French criminal justice, reflecting the gravity of her actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of prolonged domestic abuse and the critical need for vigilant protection of vulnerable children.

As the community reels from this tragedy, the legal outcome underscores the importance of accountability and the relentless pursuit of justice for victims of domestic violence.

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