Tina Michelle Sandlin, 36, pleaded no contest to animal cruelty and child abuse on Friday and has been sentenced to one year in an inpatient drug rehabilitation centre.
Bay County Sheriff's deputies arrested Sandlin last year after they found her holed up under a mobile home in Southport, Florida.
She went into hiding after she brought her children into her bedroom in mid-July so they could see her cut off the rabbit's head with a knife, according to NY Daily News.
The children later told police that their mother held the white rabbit by the ears as it kicked its legs in a failed effort to free itself. Sandlin then began sawing at its neck until she finally killed the bunny and ripped its head off in front of her small children.
The kids did not immediately tell anyone about their pet's bloody death but eventually alerted their father.
Her husband told officers that Sandlin merely shrugged her shoulders and said she slaughtered the pet because she was bored, when he confronted her.
He added that their children, now 7 and 4, had nightmares about the incident.
Sandlin left the house and did not contact her family for about a month. Officers say she admitted to the killing after they took her into custody.
PRISON IS WHAT SHE DESERVES, BUT JUDGE ELIJAH SMILEY FELT SORRY FOR HER AND GAVE HER PROBATION INSTEAD
Judge Elijah Smiley sentenced her to five years' probation, including 18 months on drug offender probation.
Her probation may be terminated after 30 months if she meets a set of requirements.
Sandlin is forbidden from contacting her husband or children while in the facility.
She may be able to have contact with the kids again after being leaving rehab and remaining sober for 90 days, said the Daily News.
But the children's counselor will establish the terms of the visitation.
Aliases: Tina Michelle Byng, Tina Byng, Tina Sandlin Byng
(Daily Mail - Sept 23, 2013)
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