Nixzaliz Santiago is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in the 2006 death of Nixzmary Brown. Deliberations began Wednesday morning.

During closing arguments Tuesday, defense attorneys portrayed Santiago as a concerned mother who tried to stop the abuse. Prosecutors say she was a callous woman who allowed the assault.

The stepfather was convicted of manslaughter earlier this year but acquitted of murder. He is serving 29 years in prison.

The girl was bound to a chair, starved and forced to urinate in a litter box. Her death hastened reforms in the city's troubled child welfare system.