Harrisburg Mother Fails to Protect Son in ‘Concentration Camp’ Beating, Heads to Prison

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A central Pennsylvania mother has been sentenced to the maximum of 3½ to 7 years in prison for failing to protect her 5-year-old son from physical abuse that the judge says resembled a beating that "took place in a concentration camp."

Whitley Sharp, of Harrisburg, was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to child endangerment.

Sharp's attorney had asked the judge to commit his "clueless" client to drug rehabilitation and psychological treatment.

Sharp has said she was a victim of domestic violence. Prosecutors say she had many opportunities to flee and never reported the child abuse.

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Investigators say Sharp told the boy to lie about how he was hurt.

The boy's father awaits trial on allegations he beat the child in March after the boy soiled his pants.

A central Pennsylvania mother has been sentenced to the maximum of 3½ to 7 years in prison for failing to protect her 5-year-old son from physical abuse that the judge says resembled a beating that "took place in a concentration camp."

Whitley Sharp, of Harrisburg, was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to child endangerment.

Sharp's attorney had asked the judge to commit his "clueless" client to drug rehabilitation and psychological treatment.

Sharp has said she was a victim of domestic violence. Prosecutors say she had many opportunities to flee and never reported the child abuse.

Investigators say Sharp told the boy to lie about how he was hurt.

The boy's father awaits trial on allegations he beat the child in March after the boy soiled his pants.