Waukegan mom pleads not guilty to killing daughter
A Waukegan woman accused of killing her 11-year-old daughter has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
The (Waukegan) News-Sun reports that 32-year-old Nicholette R. Lawrence of Waukegan entered the plea at an arraignment Thursday in Lake County circuit court.
Her daughter, Raashanai Coley, died in September from injuries that police and prosecutors say were caused by abuse. Police say the woman admitted punching the girl in the stomach earlier in the week.
An autopsy showed signs of malnutrition and evidence of past abuse, including scarring and bruises.
Lawrence is being held on $5 million bond and could face life in prison if convicted.
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