NORWICH, N.Y. -- It was a case that sent chills throughout the Chenango County community.

In July 2017, 11-year-old Jacelyn O'Connor was found dead in a Norwich home, raped and murdered.

In the days to follow, police had two suspects, a couple, James Brower and Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding.

On Monday, Rundstrom-Wooding was sentenced to 20 years to life behind bars.

"There is no justice that I can get for the family. They will forever be haunted that their daughter and their child is not with them," said Joseph McBride, Chenango County district attorney.

Rundstrom-Wooding accepted a plea deal back in June.

Jaceyln's father wanted to avoid putting the family through the emotional stress of a trial.

Today, they're choosing to remember her life for the good she brought to the world.

"She'd do anything for anybody. I'd mow the yard and do the garden and she'd ask if I wanted a drink or a sandwich or even sometimes, she'd just bring it to us," said Rebecca Hamm, Jacelyn's adoptive mother.

Hamm says she constantly deals with an endless pit of heartbreak.

"You go to the school, you go to the playground, you go for walk, you go anywhere, and you just wish she was there with us," said Hamm.

When given the chance to address the courtroom, Rundstrom-Wooding declined, offering no apology to the family for his actions.

"She was taken from this monster. He took her and he doesn't even know why. He has no remorse for why he did it or anything to do with it," said Hamm.

"He sat on his hands. He didn't make a statement. He didn't take responsibility for what he did. Because of that, he probably will never leave a New York State Department of Corrections,” said McBride.

The co-defendant, James Brower, is set to take his case to trial.

That’s expected to begin in January.