NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) A New York woman convicted earlier this year of starving her four children was released from prison because of “substantial issues” related to her pending appeal, one of her attorneys said Monday (May 24).

Estelle Walker, was released from the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton, N.J., on May 7 on $200,000 bail pending appeal, under a decision of a state appeals court.

Walker, 51, of New York City, was sentenced to eight years in prison on March 30; the judge had previously rejected a defense motion to release her pending appeal.

During her trial, Walker’s attorney had said the woman failed to provide food for her children — ages 8, 9, 11 and 13 at the time — because she was praying for divine intervention.

Public Defender David Nufrio said Walker was freed because the appellate court found there were enough significant legal questions raised by his office in its appeal of Walker’s conviction. He would not say what legal questions were raised.

As part of her release, Walker will live with her mother in New York City, he said.

“We’re very happy the court granted that application,” said Nufrio, who declined to comment further on the appeal.

It could be a year or longer before the appeal is heard.

Walker, her four younger children and an 18-year-old daughter were temporarily placed in a lakeside New Jersey cabin by their church, the Manhattan-based Times Square Church, in 2005.

When Walker refused to leave the cabin in May 2006, the church began eviction proceedings and cut off financial support, most of which was used by the Walkers to buy food.

Walker was later arrested after she and her children were found emaciated at the cabin. The children had testified that at one point they went 11 days without food.