NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Niagara County District Attorney's Office announced that a 25-year-old Niagara Falls woman has been sentenced to serve jail time and probation.
Juajhane Y. Cox, 25, of Niagara Falls was sentenced to serve six months in Niagara County Jail followed by five years of probation. Cox had plead guilty to vehicular assault in the second degree in a previous court appearance.
In July of 2023, Cox had hit an 11-year-old girl with her car while under the influence of marijuana. The child had been riding a bike on Ferry Avenue and suffered serious injuries.
She will remain at liberty until after the holiday season when she reports for her jail time.
Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman said "The law only allowed a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison in this case despite the fact that the 11 year old victim will spend the rest of her life under constant care for the brain injuries and other horrific injuries she suffered. We asked the court to give the maximum sentence as even that would not have come close to serving justice in this case.
"Unfortunately, the judge decided to impose a minimal sentence. The family of the victim left court today feeling that justice was not served. No message was sent to the public regarding the dangers of driving while under the influence of marijuana. The defendant will be out in four months while this young girl and her family will deal with the repercussions for the rest of their lives."
The case was investigated by the Niagara Falls Police Department Crash Investigation Unit and prosecuted by Vehicular Crimes Bureau Chief.
See the full press release attached below.
