The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled against reversing a relatively light jail sentence for a young woman who caused her father’s death by using a hazardous substance when he failed to drive her to a hair appointment prior to her 18th birthday celebration.

Megan Imirowicz, currently 21 years old, received a one-year jail sentence in 2023. She was released promptly due to the approximately 17 months she had already served in custody prior to her trial and sentencing.

Though sentencing guidelines suggested a minimum prison term of just over four years, Oakland County Judge Victoria Valentine opted to give her a lesser sentence. In making her decision, the judge took into account Imirowicz’s youth, lack of maturity, and potential for rehabilitation, despite objections from prosecutors.

In a unanimous 3-0 decision announced on Tuesday, the appeals court stated, “The trial court provided adequate justification for the sentence given.”

Megan Imirowicz was convicted of causing death through the use of harmful devices or irritants. Prosecutors reported that she had a confrontation with her father, Konrad Imirowicz, 64, due to his intoxication, which rendered him unable to take her to her scheduled appointment before her birthday party in 2021.

According to prosecutors, Megan threw lye, a chemical common in drain cleaners, at her father while he was asleep, resulting in extensive burns across his body. He subsequently suffered severe health complications, necessitating kidney dialysis, a tracheotomy, and the amputation of both legs before ultimately passing away five months later.

The appeals court recognized the grave nature of the victim’s injuries sustained from the chemical burns that ultimately led to his death. However, the court emphasized that this alone does not signify a misuse of discretion by the judge during sentencing.

During her sentencing, Imirowicz remarked that the prosecutors “tried to portray me as a monster, but that’s not who I am and never was.” She characterized her father as her “best friend.” Currently, she is on probation until July 2028.