Monday, Oct. 8, 2012

DALLAS (AP) -- A doctor has testified that a Texas mother who glued her 2-year-old daughter's hands to a wall also beat the toddler so badly that she suffered significant brain trauma and bleeding inside her skull.

Elizabeth Escalona pleaded guilty July 12 to injury to a child. The 23-year-old mother is being sentenced Monday. She faces up to life in prison. A state district judge will decide her punishment.

The doctor showed photos of the beaten child.

The toddler was in a coma for two days after the Sept. 7, 2011, incident. Police records show the toddler's siblings told investigators their mother repeatedly kicked the girl in the stomach and hit her with various objects before gluing her hands to the wall.

Police say Escalona was mad about potty training problems.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)