Erica Bell, the woman accused of injuring a little girl so severely that she died, again took the stand in her own defense, as did a domestic violence expert for the defense.

Bell stands charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in the Nov. 2016 death of Brook Stagles. Prosecutors say she punched Brook so hard in the stomach that the 3-year-old died later from internal injuries.

Upon taking the stand, Bell told the court that she did not hurt Brook, that Brook's father, Michael Stagles, did instead, with three to four punches to the stomach after he yelled at and pinned Bell to a bed. A medical examiner testified earlier in the trial that the girl died from complications of blunt force trauma to her abdomen.

Bell continued to maintain that Stagles was worried about the bruises on Brook but did not want to take her to the hospital because he was afraid of Child Protective Services investigating.

When asked about admitting to hitting Brook in phone calls she made while in jail, she said she only did so because Michael told her to. Bell also said she stopped telling others that Michael abused her because it led to arguments between them.

Bell finished her testimony by admitting she loved Michael, but was scared of him.

Dr. Kate Cerulli, a domestic violence expert at the University of Rochester, testified that it's common for victims to lie about the abuse they suffer through, and can cover up for others to protect themselves. Cerulli also says that those who are abused as children or teens can grow up to become victims or perpetrators themselves.

Bell’s testimony also delved more into her drug use. She says while heroin took over her life, she still could take of her kids, saying she loved them and could even interact with them while not high. Bell added she takes meds for anxiety and depression, and that she has struggled with it since she was a teen.

Brook's family has sat in court every day through these proceedings, bringing little pieces of the girl's life with them, like a little green stuffed animal. They said the most recent testimony doesn't change their minds about who did what.