Judge Michael Kupersmith issued the sentence to 51-year-old Louise Desnoyers (day-noy-AY') on Wednesday in Grand Isle County after hearing her apology to family, friends and the court.

Desnoyers pleaded no contest this year in the death of Nicholas Desnoyers-Langlois. She had originally pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

The judge says he determined that Desnoyers knew what she was doing when she drowned the 8-year-old boy in August 2006.

She told authorities she held her son under water so he wouldn't have to suffer through her impending breakup with his father.