The Rockland mother who admitted to killing her own newborn son was sentenced to 12 years behind bars today.

Maria Guaman-Guaman accepted a plea for manslaughter in June. She admitted to killing her son last year and dumping his body into a trash bin in Spring Valley. The infant, known as "Baby Angel," was found later in an Elmsford recycling center.

Guaman-Guaman was originally charged with murder, but doctors for both the prosecution and the defense determined she has limited mental abilities because she was kicked in the head by a horse as a child.

"The experts concluded that at the time she committed this crime, she was suffering from an extreme emotional disturbance," said District Attorney Tom Zugibe. "Under the statute, it mandates a reduction of the charge from murder to manslaughter."

While Guaman-Guaman's mental abilities may be limited, prosecutors contend she still could have taken other steps and avoided the tragic death of her child.

Under state sentencing guidelines, Guaman-Guaman could be released after about 10 years behind bars, but she is then expected to be deported back to her native Ecuador.