A French mother of eight was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years for the torture and starvation of her 13-year-old daughter, Amandine.
For more than 10 years, Amandine endured relentless abuse at the hands of her mother. Pissarra admitted in court that her actions were fueled by resentment toward Amandine’s resemblance to her father.
Amandine’s suffering was extensive. Prosecutors revealed she was regularly subjected to punches, kicks, hair-pulling, and assaults with objects like brooms. Insults, jostling, and other forms of humiliation were a constant in her life.
Her confinement in a windowless storage room marked the final chapter of her ordeal. For weeks, she was deprived of food and monitored by a camera.
By the time of her death on Aug. 6, 2020, Amandine weighed just 28 kg (62 lbs) at a height of 5’1”. Her body showed signs of extreme malnutrition, with infected wounds, missing teeth, and patches of hair torn out.
On the day of her death in the village of Montblanc, southwest of Montpellier, Pissarra claimed Amandine had eaten a piece of sugar, fruit puree, and a high-protein drink before vomiting and losing consciousness.
However, investigators dismissed this as a cover-up, highlighting years of abuse and neglect as the true cause of her death.
Medical reports confirmed Amandine died from septicemia caused by severe malnutrition and infected wounds.
In court, Pissarra described herself as “a monstrous mother,” admitting to the charges of torture and barbarity.
Prosecutor Jean-Marie Beney argued that her actions were deliberate and intended to cause prolonged suffering.
“For Pissarra, the domestic tyrant and executioner of Amandine, there can only be one sentence—a life term with a minimum of 20 years,” Beney told the court, Per France 24.
Investigators found that Amandine was forced to complete “writing punishments,” denied food, and subjected to other cruel and degrading treatment. The court concluded that Pissarra’s actions were intended to humiliate and break her daughter.
Jean-Michel Cros, Pissarra’s former partner, was also sentenced in connection with the case.
Prosecutors accused him of failing to protect Amandine, labeling him a “cowardly collaborator.” He admitted to his role in depriving Amandine of care and faces up to 30 years in prison. Prosecutors recommended an 18-year sentence.
Psychiatric evaluations revealed that Pissarra projected her hatred of Amandine’s father onto her daughter. The mother of eight, who ran a nail salon, had children from three different relationships.
Despite the prolonged abuse, no interventions were made to save Amandine, raising questions about systemic failures.
Before sentencing, Pissarra made a brief statement: “I want to apologize to my children, that’s all.”
