Priscilla Ceballos, the Texas mom of the six-year-old Hannah Montana contest winner who’s essay was later discovered to be false, spoke out on the Today Show and issued an apology.

Priscilla Ceballos says in this Today Show video clip, “Please accept my heartfelt apology and please do not punish my child for my mistake.”

Club Libby Lu, which sponsored the Hannah Montana contest, awarded the prize to another child.