A Davenport mother has pleaded guilty in connection with knowing her little girls were being sexually molested by her boyfriend for more than two years, and not doing anything about it.
The 29-year old mother, who is now pregnant again, was supposed to go to trial in Scott County Monday, April 2, 2012.
Instead, she has pleaded guilty to three charges of felony child neglect. Three other lesser charges were dropped. She faces up to 30 years in prison when she's sentenced next month.
The abuse came to light when the mother's then-8-year-old daughter refused to board her Davenport school bus, declaring she and her sisters were not going home because they were being sexually abused.
A teacher called authorities.
The boyfriend, Jaymie Souder, has already been sentenced to 50 years for the sexual abuse.
The mother, who is not being identified because she shares the same name as the little victims, is out on bond. She will be sentenced May 9.
Scott County prosecutor Melissa Zaehringer tells News 8 that she intends to ask the judge to impose the maximum sentence of 30 years. The mother also could get probation.
The little girls are now living with an aunt and uncle who intend to adopt them, and the girls are doing well.