The woman accused of fatally injuring three-year-old Brook Stagles took the stand in her own defense today. Erica Bell testified to an upbringing that included physical abuse and a history of drug use starting at the age of 14.
Erica Bell testified she was in an abusive relationship with Brook’s father, Michael Stagles. She said she was physically and sexually abused by Stagles, and that he was the one who punched the little girl in the stomach so hard that it ruptured her intestines and caused a fatal infection.
The prosecution argues that it was Erica Bell who delivered the fatal beating, and has played phone calls in which Bell appears to take the blame.