LANSING - Melissa Mitin was sentenced to 27 1/2 to 40 years in prison for the death of her newborn daughter.

The sentencing for Mitin took place April 13 at the Friend of the Court in Downtown Lansing. Last month, Mitin pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in the killing of her first child.

Mitin admitted to giving birth to a baby girl in December 2013. She was later charged in May 2014 in the death of her daughter, which she said she did by blocking the baby's breathing. She was released on bond and it was determined she was pregnant again three months later with a baby boy.

One of Mitin's defense attorneys, Frank Reynolds, spoke at the sentencing to describe Mitin's personal life history in hope of leniency from Judge Jamo.

"She received her college degree and subsequent to that she's been an active member of her church her whole life," Reynolds said. "She accepts full responsibility for her actions."

Jamo asked Ingham County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Roth and Reynolds what would happen if he did not accept the original plea agreement and Roth said that if he did not agree then they would withdraw the plea and take the case to trial.

Mitin's original charges included murder, first-degree child abuse and concealing the death of a newbornin December 2013. She was facing up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of first degree murder.

Mitin gave birth to her son and it was later determined that he was allegedly left in a gas station dumpster. While the boy has not been found, he is believed to be dead.

A motion seeking to admit new evidence in that case was denied by Jamo last month, and, as part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed not to charge Mitin in the death of her son.

Jamo said in determining Mitin's final sentencing for the death of her daughter, he was conflicted on the balance of punishment, rehabilitation and deterrence.

"It's not rational to me," Jamo told Mitin. "It's not understandable. I can't really place it in a way that helps guide me as to what is appropriate for your sentence, as a result."

Mitin had few words for Jamo right before he sentenced her and said she was "very, very sorry for everything that happened."