Babysitter of murdered 4-year-old girl receives 10 year suspended sentence

The baby sitter of a 4-year-old girl who vanished nearly two decades ago was sentenced Thursday.

Melissa Harding-Jones was an accessory to the murder of Pilar Rodriguez in 1999 in Punta Gorda. The body of Pilar was never recovered.

A judge sentenced Harding-Jones to two years of community control followed by eight years of probation with a 10 year suspended prison sentence.

Harding-Jones must pay $600 restitution within nine years and she must receive counseling at least six times a year.

Judge sentences Melissa Harding Jones (Charlotte Co. Case # 10001496F ) to 2 years of community control followed by 8 years of probation.

— 20th Circuit Court of Florida (@SWFLCourts) January 18, 2018

Her ex-boyfriend, Keith Wilson, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in October after being accused of raping, beating and ultimately killing the girl, whose body was never found.

Harding-Jones testified against him, hoping her testimony would result in a lighter sentence.

MORE: Babysitter testifies in Charlotte County child murder trial