CLEVELAND -- A mom facing murder charges in the death of her own 5-year-old son learned her punishment Thursday in an unrelated case involving food stamps.
From July 2015 through December 2017, case worker Nancy Caraballo paid accused child killer Larissa Rodriguez 50 cents for every $1 of food stamp benefits, which totaled $10,058.18.
Both previously pleaded guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence.
Rodriguez chose not to speak before sentencing was handed down. She was given six years behind bars. Caraballo, was sentenced to three years.
"I'm so deeply sorry for what I have done," Caraballo said prior to sentencing while adding she's a "productive member of society."
The food stamp benefits were meant for Rodriguez's five children.
Caraballo's role required her to make monthly home visits to evaluate the Rodriguez children and refer them for education services. On at least 11 occasions, Caraballo falsified her reporters to cover up the fact she had not been inside the home. As a mandatory reporter, it was Caraballo's responsibility to report neglect and abuse to the proper authorities.
Rodriguez is also accused of killing her 5-year-old son, Jordan, before burying him behind her W. 80th Street home in December. Police received a tip that led them to the home, where Jordan's remains were found in the back yard.
Court documents revealed that Rodriguez's home was in deplorable condition. The home was infested with cockroaches and rats to such an extent that one of Rodriguez's children was seen eating a sandwich with cockroaches inside.
Rodriguez's husband, Christopher, has also been charged in Jordan's death.