Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman announced on Wednesday, November 27th that Juajhane Y. Cox, 25, of Niagara Falls, was sentenced to just six months in the Niagara County Jail followed by five years of probation for her role in a tragic vehicular assault that left an 11-year-old girl with permanent, life-altering injuries. The sentence was handed down by County Court Judge John Ottaviano.
Cox had previously pleaded guilty to Vehicular Assault in the 2nd Degree after running over Nevaeh Quarantillo while driving under the influence of marijuana. The incident occurred as Nevaeh was riding her bicycle on Ferry Avenue resulting in severe injuries that have drastically changed her life.
DA Seaman expressed his disappointment with the sentence, stating, “The law only allowed a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison in this case despite the fact that the 11-year-old victim will spend the rest of her life under constant care for the brain injuries and other horrific injuries she suffered.”
The judge's decision to allow Cox to remain free until after the holiday season has further fueled concerns about the message being sent. Seaman noted, “The family of the victim left court today feeling that justice was not served. No message was sent to the public regarding the dangers of driving while under the influence of marijuana.”
The collision left Nevaeh pinned under Cox's vehicle for nearly ten minutes during which time she was deprived of oxygen, leading to a coma that lasted over five months at Oishei Children’s Hospital. Despite the grim prognosis, Nevaeh has shown remarkable progress which has been documented by her family on a Facebook page titled "Nevaeh’s Prayer Book." She is now off a ventilator and breathing independently, a feat that doctors initially deemed unlikely.
Seaman extended his sympathies to Nevaeh and her family, stating, “Unfortunately, the young girl who was struck by the defendant sustained horrible injuries that she and her family will live with for the rest of her life.”
Lenient Sentence for Driver who Ran Over 11-year-old Devastates Family, Outrages District Attorney