Cops: Mom's punch leads to death of girl, 11

A Waukegan woman has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 11-year-old daughter, resulting from a punch to the abdomen.

Nicholette R. Lawrence, 32, told investigators that she had punched the girl early last week, police said.

The Lake County Coroner's Office has confirmed through autopsy that the daughter, Raasania J. Coley, suffered a torn stomach as the result of blunt force trauma, which led to her death.

Lawrence is being held at the Lake County jail with bail set at $5 million. Her next court date is 1:30 p.m. Sept. 30, in courtroom C-120.

Coley was pronounced dead at a hospital after Waukegan firefighters responded at 9:08 p.m. on Friday to a call regarding an unconscious girl in a home in the 300 block of Gillette Avenue.

Firefighters notified Waukegan police, after which the department's Major Crime Scene Unit and Criminal Investigation's Division were called in to investigate.

Police said Lawrence has two other children who are with relatives.

All of the children had been living with Lawrence in the home on Gillette Avenue.

Police said there are no allegations of abuse to the other two children.