Prosecutors: Girl Abused Before Being Killed by Punch

Lake County prosecutors say an 11-year-old Waukegan girl who died after being punched in the stomach by her mother was also suffering from malnutrition.

Lake County Coroner Thomas Rudd said significant scarring and numerous cigarette burns were discovered on Raasania J. Coley's skin during an autopsy. Rudd said Coley's wrists and ribs were protruding due to long-term malnutrition.

Coley was pronounced dead at a hospital after firefighters found her unresponsive Friday at her home. Rudd said the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

The girl's mother, 32-year-old Nicholette R. Lawrence, is charged with one count of murder. She is being held in lieu of $5 million bond.

Authorities say Lawrence has admitted punching Coley in the stomach Wednesday night.

It wasn't immediately known if Lawrence has a lawyer.