Mother faces 50 years in prison in 8-year-old's drug overdose death

Mills County mother learned her fate Monday after being charged in the death of her 8-year-old daughter.

Misty Frazier was convicted of child endangerment resulting in death Monday in the overdose death of Kathleen Tafta.

Tafta died in October 2016.

Police originally charged Frazier with second-degree murder, child endangerment resulting in death and distributing prescription drugs to a minor in connection to Kathleen’s death.

John Tafta Jr., Kathleen’s father, said he continues to grieve the loss of his daughter two years later. He said he hoped for more guilty verdicts but is satisfied with Monday's outcome.

"We didn't get what we wanted, but child endangerment resulting in death, 50-year sentence, hell yeah I'll take it!"

"This was my daughter she killed, and we're going to be heard,” John Tafta Jr. said. “Kathleen cannot speak for herself, so we're going to speak for her."

In court, Frazier's mom said she disagrees with the verdict -- claiming she didn't mean to hurt Kathleen.

Other family members disagreed.

There should be no reason for somebody to give medication to a child that does not belong to them,” said Karen Tafta, Kathleen’s stepmother. “There's no reason to kill a child. There is nothing a child could do to deserve to be killed."

Frazier faces up to 50 years in prison. Her sentencing is set for August.

The defense said they plan to appeal the verdict.