LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada girl paralyzed in a brutal knife attack five years ago has been adopted by her foster family.
In a brief court hearing Thursday, Bill and Judy Himel adopted Brittney Bergeron, ending an emotional custody fight that was headed to the Nevada Supreme Court.
Brittney's biological mother, Tamara Schmidt, gave up the fight for custody of the girl in February from the prison where she is serving a four- to 12-year term for child neglect.
Schmidt left then 10-year-old Brittney and her 3-year-old half sister, Kristyanna Cowan, alone in a motor home outside a Mesquite casino in January 2003. The girls were attacked by two Utah siblings in what authorities called retaliation for Schmidt and her boyfriend selling salt in place of methamphetamine.
Brittney, now 16, was paralyzed from the waist down. Cowan was killed.
Beau Maestas was sentenced to death for the attack. His sister, Monique Maestas, was sentenced to life in prison.