A 19-year-old British woman sobbed in court Friday when a judge sentenced her to nine years in prison after she pleaded guilty to manslaughter for leaving her toddler daughter alone for nearly a week while she celebrated her 18th birthday.

Paramedics who responded to Verphy Kudi’s apartment after she returned on December 11, 2019, found 20-month-old Asiah Kudi lying on the floor. She was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death of influenza and starvation, the Guardian reported.

Kudi cried on March 26 as well, when she admitted in court that she traveled 150 miles to London, Coventry, and Solihul in December 2019 and attended two parties and a concert while her daughter languished in Brighton, as CrimeOnline previously reported.

“Asiah was alone in that flat for six days – less two hours – unable to do anything to draw attention to her plight,” Judge Christine Laing told Kudi at sentencing. “She was a helpless child and relied completely on you as her mother to provide for her needs.

“It is almost unbearable to contemplate her suffering in the final days of her life, suffering that she endured so that you could celebrate your birthday and the birthdays of your friends as a carefree teenager. It goes without saying that this is a particularly tragic case, and it no doubt raises strong emotions in all who hear of it, but everyone should bear in mind that the charge I sentence you for is one of manslaughter, it being accepted that you did not intend to cause Asiah death nor to cause her really serious harm.”

Kudi and her daughter were living in an apartment building run by a charity that helps vulnerable families. As CrimeOnline reported, the organization said the units are not regularly inspected, but staff is stationed at the entrance to the complex at all times.

Sussex police released a statement from Kudi’s family:

“Verphy has experienced so much at such a young age and we have always done what we can to support her. As a family we are in the midst of an unbearable tragedy. Not only are we coming to terms with what has happened today but we are also still grieving for our beloved Asiah.

“We would be grateful if our privacy can be respected at this moment.”

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[Featured image: Verphy and Asiah Kudi/Twitter]