LAKE WORTH, Fla. (AP) - The mother of a toddler who died after ingesting tranquilizers has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Joan Castro's attorney had asked for a shorter sentence, citing the 27-year-old's long history of mental illness and substance abuse struggles. The judge ruled Friday, adding that Castro continue to care for 21-month-old Sariah even after she had lost parental rights to two other children.

Castro pleaded guilty this summer to neglect of a child causing great bodily harm.

Sariah Cardona had ingested a lethal combination of Xanax and oxycodone in 2007. A detective testified that Sariah had a blue pill stuck to her face, several pills around her body and an open purse nearby with pills spilling out.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)