Mom who blamed ‘devil’ sobs an apology

A PARANOID schizophrenic woman who smothered her toddler in a Midtown burger joint and claimed “the devil made me do it” will spend nearly two decades in prison.

Latisha Fisher, 38, on Monday was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the killing of 20-month-old Gavriel OrtizFisher in March 2015. She spent 40 minutes in the 5 Boro Burger bathroom smothering him, officials said.

Fisher struck a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Oct. 30.

Wearing beige prison garb with a light pink sweater underneath, she appeared somber as she sat alongside her legal team.

Prosecutor Jessica Troy read two victim impact statements on behalf of little Gavriel’s father, Luis Ortiz Jr., and the tot’s paternal grandfather, Luis Ortiz Sr.

“The time I found out I was going to be a father, I was happy — and even happier it was going to be a boy,” Ortiz Jr.’s statement read.

Ortiz Jr., 36, wept as his statement was read aloud to the court. He had dreamed of teaching his son how to ride a bike, and how to be a respectful young man.

“On March 20, I lost everything,” it read. “Sometimes I blame myself . . . I should have gone there that day, maybe he’d still be here with us.”

The grieving father said he had found it in his heart to forgive Fisher but the pain still remained.

“I forgive you but I can never forget,” he said.

Prosecutors then read aloud Ortiz Sr.’s statement.

“In time, I will find a way to forgive you. For now, justice is served,” part of the 54-year-old’s statement read.

Fisher was then given an opportunity to speak.

“I’m sorry,” she said through sobs. “I love my son.”

Judge Gregory Carro noted Fisher, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, is “clearly suffering mental illness (and) has taken responsibility for her actions.”

Fisher’s attorney, Bryan Konoski, said had his client decided to proceed to trial on the issue of mental illness, it could have resulted in a life sentence. The conviction for manslaughter gives Fisher an 18-year sentence with credit for time served.“One of the first things that she said when people came and found her with her deceased child was that the devil made her do it,” Konoski said.

“I think it’s really unquestionable she has a mental illness. The ultimate question was whether she knew or understood that what she did was wrong.”