Lexington mother sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally stabbing her two children

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Lexington mother has been sentenced after pleading guilty to the murder of her two children.

In May 2020, Nikki James was arrested at her Rogers Road apartment. Police say she stabbed her 13-year-old son, Deon, and 5-year-old daughter, Skyler, to death.

Earlier in June, James accepted a plea deal in the case, and at his sentencing Friday, his lawyers asked the judge to give him a chance at long-term treatment.

The request was denied by the judge because there are no mental health facilities in Kentucky on total lockdown.

The judge followed the prosecutor's recommendation for a 20-year prison sentence.