Mother sentenced for abuse of son

SHOSHONE, Idaho – An Idaho woman who pleaded guilty to abusing her 8-year-old autistic son and starving him until he weighed just 50 pounds has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

On Monday, 5th District Judge Robert Elgee ordered that Kyanne Nadalia Pamparau, of Richfield, must serve at least 81/2 years before she is eligible for parole.

Pamparau, 29, had been held at the State Hospital South since January 2005 before being discharged last summer.

Her sentence was reduced by the 21 months she spent in the psychiatric hospital.

She pleaded guilty in August to felony charges of injuring a child.

“You’re getting sentenced for conscious, knowing, systematic abuse of one child (that) sometimes grows to the level of torture,” Elgee told her.

Elgee said the boy was fastened to a bed, had a bag taped shut over his head “to the point he thought he was going to die,” was hung by his arms, and had his feet burned with a candle, the Times-News of Twin Falls reported.

Pamparau has said she does not remember the events involving her son, who was 8 when Pamparau was arrested.

“I would never in my right mind ever hurt my children,” Pamparau said.

“I want to apologize to all my children, my family and the court. I can’t imagine what pain I put my children through.”

Elgee didn’t believe her.

“There is no evidence that mental health is a significant factor,” he said.

“This case demands a severe sentence.”

The maximum sentence allowed in the case was 10 years, short of what prosecuting attorney E. Scott Paul said he wanted.

“I’m just disgusted,” Paul said. “If we could sterilize her I would do it. But the law doesn’t allow me to ask for that option,” Paul said.

Defense attorney Craig Hobney, in arguing for a reduced sentence, said Pamparau had a difficult life characterized by misfortune, depression, abuse and mental illness.