The 25-year-old woman found guilty of murdering three-year-old Brook Stagles has been sentenced to the maximum, 25-years-to-life in prison.
Erica Bell was sentenced this morning on the second degree murder charge, plus another 20 years for first degree manslaughter in the little girl’s beating death.
The prosecution asked for the maximum sentence, saying Brook’s death could have been prevented and Bell showed no remorse. Her defense asked for leniency, saying Bell has a history of drug abuse, sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Judge Christopher Cicaccio called Bell’s actions “calculated” and “despicapable.” He rejected the argument that Bell’s heroin addiction influenced her failure to get medical help for Brook, after punching her in the stomach so hard it ruptured the toddler’s intestines.
Brook’s father, Michael Stagles, pleaded guilty to a criminally negligent homicide charge for failure to get his daughter medical help. He’ll be sentenced next month.