Attorneys react to sentencing of Lan Le

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There was shock and disbelief from law enforcement and others in the courtroom today when Judge Ron Ware opted against prison time for Lan Le-- the woman convicted of cruelty in connection with the scalding of a two year old child.

Judge Ware, who convicted Le of second degree cruelty to a juvenile, announced he would not put her in prison-- because he believes it would serve no purpose. He says the former foster parent still has a lot of good to do.

Her defense attorney Cliff Newman says that was the right call.

"I think the evidence pointed to negligence. She had gone downstairs, left the child upstairs and within, you notice I snap my fingers, that fast, the child was in the tub getting burned," said Newman.

As well, Newman says the 29 year old is being punished, because she did get a five year prison sentence which is suspended, which means she will have to serve if she offends again.

"Do you know if she messes up any time in the next five years she's got to go serve five years and then it's going to be even worse with additional punishment. It's not right to say she did not get jail time. She's a convicted felon. She was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections suspended, three years supervised probation," said Newman.

She also has to pay a $500 fine and other court costs and the cost of supervising her during probation.

Several deputies walked out during sentencing and clearly, Ware was not pleased. He said from the bench that he was doing what he thought was right and didn't care who likes it or not.

D.A. John DeRosier disagrees with the sentence.

"A two year old child was scalded in this case. I think it is inappropriate for the defendant to walk away from this they way that she has. However, that is not for me to decide," said DeRosier.

Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they were disappointed in the sentencing, but that they live by the system though they dont' always agree with the results. He says if the judge did what he thought was appropriate they have to respect that decision.

Those who left during the sentencing have been ordered to come before Judge Ware on Friday morning.

Lan Le lives in Florida now and will be allowed to undergo probation supervision in that state