Verdict Near In Trial Of Woman Charged With Killing Girl, 3

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — A verdict is expected in the trial of a western New York woman charged with killing a 3-year-old girl last fall.

A judge in Rochester is expected to announce a verdict Friday morning in 25-year-old Erica Bell's bench trial on second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter charges.

Prosecutors say Bell punched Brook Stagles in the stomach three times last November, then didn't seek medical help for the toddler and prevented others from doing so. The girl later died from complications stemming from blunt force trauma to her abdomen.

At the time of the girl's death, Bell was the girlfriend of the child's father's Michael Stagles. Bell claims he inflicted his daughter's fatal injuries.

Stagles was charged with criminally negligent homicide. His trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 13.