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Mom Sentenced To 25 Years For Abusing Toddler, Including Her In Sex

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A Washington woman who took her toddler daughter across state lines for sexual abuse was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors said the woman repeatedly visited the Portland area to have sex with boyfriend, James Lee Hickerson. The toddler was often present when the couple had sex and was later included.

Agents found two videos on Hickerson's phone that show the woman performing a sex act on her daughter.

The Associated Press is withholding the 29-year-old mother's name to protect the child's identity.

The woman pleaded guilty in May to transportation of a minor for criminal sexual activity. But she submitted a five-page, handwritten letter to U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon before sentencing that caused the judge to ask if she wanted to withdraw her plea.

Though the woman did not take that step, she also didn't accept full responsibility. She said her boyfriend was the instigator and her behavior was not as bad as portrayed by prosecutors.

"I never hurt my daughter, not the way the court is looking at it," she said. "Like I said your honor, you're only getting a glimpse of what happened."

The judge replied: "It may be true that I'm only getting a portion of what happened, but from the portion I have seen and I have read, it does appear to me that you have failed the fundamental responsibility of a parent, which is to protect one's child."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Shoemaker said even if the abuse was Hickerson's idea, the woman - who lived in Camas with her parents - could have said no.

"She could have left her child at home, but she didn't," Shoemaker said. "She went with Mr. Hickerson time and time again, took her child time and time again."

The woman must register as a sex offender when she leaves prison and spend 10 years on supervised release. During that period she can't speak with her daughter unless she gets approval from a probation officer.

Hickerson has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography and transporting a minor for sexual activity. He is scheduled to be sentenced in November. Hickerson's father, Neil Lee Hickerson, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in the case and is to be sentenced next week.

The investigation began when an undercover agent downloaded files from a peer-to-peer, file-sharing network, and traced the images to computers that belonged to the Hickersons.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.

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