Waukegan mom sentenced to 43 years for beating child to death

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) -- A Waukegan mother was sentenced to 43 years in prison for beating her daughter to death, officials said.

Nicholette Lawrence admitted to punching 11-year-old Raashanai Coley in the abdomen in 2014.

Authorities said the little girl had suffered long-term abuse by her mother, and was often locked in a closet and beaten.

An autopsy revealed the girl had significant scarring and numerous cigarette burns on her skin.

The judge called the mother's treatment of her daughter evil.