Philadelphia mother pleads guilty in teen’s rape, murder, dismemberment

This photo provided by the Bucks County District Attorney on Jan. 8, 2017 shows Sara Packer. (Bucks County District Attorney via AP)

This combination of file photos provided on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, by the Bucks County District Attorney shows Sara Packer, left, and Jacob Sullivan. (Bucks County District Attorney via AP, File)

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The Associated Press

March 29, 2019 - 1:36 pm

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — A woman has pleaded guilty in the 2016 rape, murder and dismemberment of her 14-year-old daughter.

Former adoptions supervisor Sara Packer appeared in a suburban Philadelphia courtroom Friday afternoon and pleaded guilty to first degree murder and 18 other charges in exchange for a life sentence.

Packer admitted in court last week that she plotted to murder her adoptive daughter, Grace Packer, saying she hated the teenager and “wanted her to go away.”

Sara Packer’s boyfriend, Jacob Sullivan, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and related offenses and was sentenced to death.

Packer says she helped Sullivan tie Grace up and watched as he raped and strangled her. The couple stored Grace’s body in cat litter for several months before dismembering it and dumping it in a wooded area.

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