Burlington woman sentenced to nearly 4 years for daycare death

WOBURN, Mass. — A Burlington babysitter convicted of killing a 6-month-old girl in her care was sentenced to prison Friday.

Pallavi Macharla was found guilty over the summer of second-degree murder, but a judge reduced it to involuntary manslaughter based on evidence.

She’ll serve 3.5 to 4 years in prison, though prosecutors wanted at least 10 years.

Macharla, a former doctor in India, ran a daycare at her Burlington home in 2014. Six-month-old Ridhima Dhekane died after prosecutors say she was shaken and suffered head trauma.

"Your honor, I loved Ridhima so much nearly as I loved my daughter," Macharla said during sentencing.

Another plea for mercy made in front of a packed courtroom. Supporters of both sides filling the seats.

"Your honor, the Commonwealth would recommend a 10 to 15-year state prison sentence," Assistant District Attorney Katharine Folger said.

Defense Attorney J.W. Carney asked for probation because Macharla has young children and a lengthy sentence could mean deportation to her native India.

"I cannot let that factor alone dictate what is an appropriate sentence in this case," Judge Kenneth Fishman said.

With that, Fishman sentenced Macharla to 3.5 to 4 years in prison. She’s already served 14 months.

Ridhima’s family was also given a chance to speak in court on Friday, but they declined. They also did not want to speak with us about the sentence after court.

Rhidima's attorney said he and his client thought the judge would be more lenient but said the sentence was merciful.

Cox Media Group