A public defender will represent a Waukegan woman accused of killing her 11-year-old daughter.

The (Waukegan) News Sun reports that 32-year-old Nicholette R. Lawrence appeared in Lake County court Monday. During that appearance the judge was told that Keith Grant, chief of special defense for the Lake County Public Defender's Office, would be representing Lawrence. She previously was represented by private counsel.

Lawrence's daughter, Raashanai Coley, died in September from injuries that police and prosecutors say were caused by abuse. Waukegan police say Lawrence admitted punching her daughter in the stomach earlier in the week. Lawrence has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges.

A June 29 trial is scheduled in the case. The judge set a hearing for May 4.

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