Carlotta Brett-Pierce was convicted of murder last month in the death of 4-year-old Marchella Pierce.
She told the court Wednesday that she was not responsible for her daughter's death. She said she lacked the education, skill and money to care for an ailing child.
When police found Marchella on Sept. 2, 2010, she had 60 adult doses of Claritin and 30 doses of Benadryl in her system. Her stomach contained one kernel of corn. She weighed 18.8 pounds, half the weight of an average child her age.
Pierce's grandmother, Loretta Brett, was convicted of manslaughter in the case and faces up to 25 years in prison.
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