Judge orders lifetime institutional care for Blue Mounds woman found guilty in mother's stabbing death

MADISON (WKOW) — Sierra Schoonover has been ordered to spend the rest of her life in inpatient institutional care after killing her mother .

This decision was made by Judge Ellen Berz at the Dane County Courthouse on Friday due to concerns about Schoonover's mental stability and risk to public safety.

Earlier this month, Schoonover, 31, of Blue Mounds, pleaded guilty , but not guilty by reason of insanity, to first-degree intentional homicide. She was charged with the stabbing death of her mother, Heather Schoonover, in April.

Dane County deputies found Heather Schoonover on the bathroom floor of their Blue Mounds home with a bloody knife nearby.

No witness statements were presented in court, but Judge Berz received 11 letters from supporters attesting to Schoonover's character.