HOUSTON - A woman and her boyfriend were sentenced to 40 years in prison for forcing her 12-year-old daughter to work as a prostitute to earn them money for beer, cigarettes and crack cocaine.
Prosecutor Paula Storts said the girl was forced to stay inside all day and did not attend school. Storts predicted the girl will be haunted by her experience.
''Whenever she closes her eyes, she will have images of strange men,'' Storts said in Friday's Houston Chronicle. ''Her mother and father-figure did that to her, and that's egregious.''
Mark Duhe, 44, and the 41-year-old woman were sentenced Wednesday. They were convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child and could be eligible for parole in 20 years.
The mother's attorney said the woman is innocent and will appeal.
The mother's name was being withheld to protect the girl's identity.
