NYC Grandmother Pleads Guilty in Voodoo Ritual

NEW YORK -- A New York City grandmother of a 6-year-old girl severely burned in a voodoo ritual has admitted she did nothing to stop it.

Sylvenie Thessier, of Queens, pleaded guilty Wednesday to endangering the welfare of a child. Under a plea deal, she faces three years in prison.

Prosecutors say the child's mother, Marie Lauradin, sprayed her with rum and set her on fire in June 2009 to rid the daughter of evil spirits. They say the 71-year-old grandmother later doused the girl with water and put her to bed without seeking medical help.

The girl's mother is set to go on trial on charges of assault and endangering the welfare of a child.