Tampa teen gets probation, community service

Tampa, Florida--Jordan Valdez will be on probation until her 19th birthday (15 months away) and she must serve 250 hours community service. Of those 250 hours, 120 must be in a hospital trauma center. The teen must also speak to her peers, other kids in school.

Last February, Jordan Valdez, then 16, was driving home from cheerleading practice in a SUV. She hit and killed 33-year-old Melissa Sjostrom. But the teen did not stop.

Valdez was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death. At a hearing Tuesday, a judge decided her sentence.

One side of the Tampa courtroom was filled with some of the city's wealthy and influential residents. The other side contained a few friends of a homeless woman.

The victim's family wanted Valdez to be sentenced as an adult and serve time in prison. But, the Valdez family and their supporters convinced the judge to be lenient and sentence her as a juvenile.

More on this story tonight on 10 Connects at 6 p.m.