Betty Smithey was sentenced to life in prison in 1963 for murder.

Smithey became America’s longest serving female inmate, as she was released on monday from Arizona State Prison Complex after spending 49 years behind bars for the murder of a 15-month-old child.

With a history of metal illness, Smithey strangled  toddler Sandy Gerberick while babysitting on New Year’s Day.

Her initial sentence was life without parole, Through appeals acting-governor Jan Brewer lowered her sentence to 48-years to life.

Andy Silverman, Smithey’s attorney, says his client is “absolutely not a threat to society” and has battled breast cancer and a “myriad of other health issues.”

“She’s almost 70 years old now,” Silverman said, according to ABC News. “She’s done a lot of reflection. Forty-nine years in prison, you think a lot about what you’ve been through.”

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