BELFAST — A Thorndike woman who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Waldo County Superior Court Dec. 4, was sentenced to six years in prison with all but 10 months suspended.

Tara Shibles, 37, had two other counts dismissed as part of the plea, including aggravated criminal trespass and assault. 

Shibles was arrested April 2, after entering the home of 72-year-old Joyce Woods, leading to a fatal heart attack.

The incident took place in the early morning hours, after Shibles entered the Burnham residence, prompting Woods to alert law enforcement and flee. Woods died outside of her home.

Following her release, Shibles will also serve four years of probation.

She is scheduled to immediately begin her sentence. 

Shibles, who was released shortly after her April arrest, was also sentenced Dec. 4, for violating the conditions of her release.

During a Nov. 17, bail check, she was found in possession of drugs, leading to additional charges including unlawful trafficking of schedule W drugs, and unlawful furnishing of a schedule W drug.

Shibles was sentenced to 10 months in prison for unlawful furnishing of a scheduled drug, to be served concurrently with her manslaughter sentence.

As a part of her plea, the other two charges were dismissed.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com