LUNSFORD SENTENCED Mother Of Missing Toddler Going To Prison For Welfare Fraud
Reported by: Leslie Rubin
Web Producer: Leslie Rubin
Also Contributing: Associated Press
Reported: May. 22, 2012 5:25 PM EDT
Eyewitness News Photo
Elkins
, West Virginia
The mother of a 3-year-old girl who vanished eight months ago this week will spend eight months behind bars for welfare fraud.
Lena Lunsford also must spend a year on probation. She will begin serving her sentence June 28.
Lunsford appeared Tuesday in Elkins before U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey. She'd pleaded guilty in January to selling $114 worth of credit on her food-stamp card for $50 cash.
Lunsford was indicted on multiple counts in October, accused of swapping the benefits for cash five times in two months.
Her daughter Aliayah disappeared from their rented Lewis County home Sept. 24.
Authorities haven't made any arrests or named any suspects. They also won't say whether they think Aliayah is still alive.
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Leslie Rubin
