Woman gets 40 years in prison for caging, starving young boy

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — In Brevard County a woman accused of caging and starving a young boy was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday.
 
Sharon Glass, 50, apologized in court for not reporting the abuse of the boy.
 
"I've always tried to help to better the community, the residents. But when I needed to be there most for one I failed. I tried so hard.  But, the abuse that I suffered and the fear I went through, stole my courage," Glass said.
 
Despite her tearful statement, 18^th Judicial Circuit Court Judge W. David Dugan told Glass that she wasn't abused, she was the abuser.
 
"This was cold, this was calculated and this was evil," said Dugan.
 
Two years ago, Channel 9 reported the horrifying details of how Glass and Michael Marshall were accused of caging and starving Marshall's then 12-year-old son for weeks at a time. 
 
Investigators said that over the course of a year, the Titusville boy was locked up in a closet, a bathroom and even tied down to his bed
 
"He was tortured, he was humiliated, he was embarrassed, he was forced to be in a diaper," said assistant state attorney William Scheiner.
 
Investigators said that by the time a family friend tipped off police in March of 2012, the boy weighed just 40 pounds.
 
"I want to say I'm so, so sorry that I didn't make the right decision for myself and other children," said Glass. "I hope that one day the community will find it in their heart to forgive me."
 
Glass must serve at least 85 percent of her 40-year prison sentence. She'll get credit for 723 days served.
 
Michael Marshall accepted a plea deal in the case.
 
He will be facing a maximum of 30 years in prison when he's sentenced in April.

WFTV