JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 21-year-old Mt. Vernon woman has been sentenced Friday in Jefferson County Court to 5-years in prison after she had earlier pleaded guilty to striking and strangling a child.

Takia T. Bell was originally charged with Class X felony aggravated battery to a child under the age of 13 resulting in permanent disability, Class 2 felony aggravated domestic battery including strangling, Class 4 felony aggravated battery of a peace officer, and misdemeanor resisting a peace officer.

However, in May she Class 2 felony charge against her in exchange for a more serious Class X charge of aggravated battery to a child being dismissed.

Bell had remained in the Jefferson County Jail awaiting sentencing, and on Friday the prosecution presented its arguments and evidence in supporting the 5-year maximum sentence available.

According to police reports, on January 21, Bell caused great bodily harm to a child by striking the child about the face and left ear and caused additional injury by allegedly strangling the child.

The arrest report also says Bell walked toward a police officer while holding a knife at her side and even after the officer drew his weapon and commanded to, she would not drop the knife.

Videos were entered into evidence in the case, with one reportedly showing Bell placing a pillow over a child’s face and another allegedly showing Bell strike the child.