Mother convicted of murder after teenage daughter deprived of food starves to death

Nicole Finn, 43, found guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping and child endangerment over death of 16-year-old Natalie in Iowa

Nicole Finn stands as she is handcuffed by officers on Thursday 14 December 2017 after a jury found her guilty on kidnapping and murder charges in the starvation death of 16-year-old Natalie Finn at the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa (Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register/AP)

Jurors have convicted an Iowa woman of murder in the starvation death of her 16-year-old daughter, who weighed only 85 pounds when she died.

The 12-person jury found Nicole Finn, 43, guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping and child endangerment in the October 2016 death of Natalie Finn, according to The Des Moines Register. Jurors began deliberating the case on Wednesday.

Nicole Finn will be sentenced on 26 January, but first-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence in Iowa.

“In 18 years of being a prosecutor, this is the worst case I’ve ever seen,” Assistant Polk County Attorney Bret Lucas said after the verdict.

During the trial, prosecutors described Nicole Finn as more concerned about her animals than her children. The mother of five kept three of her teens confined in a bedroom without furniture and didn’t allow them regular access to food or a bathroom for months.

The children would at times climb out a window of their home and seek food from neighbours.

Neighbours and school officials reported their concerns about Natalie Finn’s treatment to state child welfare authorities. After obtaining a court order and visiting the home, the officials declined to remove the girl or her siblings. A child protective worker was later fired amid enquiries by the Department of Human Services, legislators and the Iowa Office of Ombudsman.

In final arguments, the prosecution said Nicole Finn sought to kill and torment the three children, including Natalie. The defence claimed Nicole Finn was detached from reality.

Finn’s ex-husband, Joe Finn, has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, neglect or abandonment and child endangerment. He wasn’t living with the rest of the family when Natalie died. His trial begins at 8 January.

AP