Driver sentenced for killing 7-year-old neighbor

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- The woman who pleaded guilty to running over and killing her neighbor's 7-year-old son was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

Kayla Bennett, 23, was sentenced to 8 years in prison, with 6 years suspended for causing death when operating a motor vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance in the blood.

Bennett told police she wasn't high at the time of the incident, but admitted to smoking marijuana the night before.

Briyson Councell was playing in the back yard of his home in the 800 block of 6th Street in Mishawaka on June 1, 2018 when Bennett drove over him.

Briyson's parents say the sentencing has provided some relief but nothing will bring back their son.

"The pain and the heart ache and the waking up every morning and thinking about him and going to bed thinking about him and it's just nice not to have to sit here and worry about this aspect of it anymore," Seth Councell said.

"I think it's absolutely disgusting 2 years in jail for killing my son and having no remorse or apology or anything for it whatsoever and to hear the things that she said when her statement was read was disgusting. Justice was not served today and my son probably very disappointed in that," Brittany Councell said.

Bennett was also sentenced to 6 years of probation with two of those six years to be served at St. Joseph County Community Corrections  at the level of supervision community corrections deems appropriate.

Bennett's driver's license will be suspended for four years.

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