Mother found guilty of 2nd-degree murder in toddler’s death

NASHUA, N.H. – A woman accused of beating her 3-year-old daughter was convicted Monday of second-degree murder in the child’s death.

A judge pronounced his verdict in the bench trial of 27-year-old Katlyn Marin, who was charged with killing Brielle Gage in 2014.

Prosecutors said the Nashua woman assaulted Brielle several times during Thanksgiving week, and Brielle died shortly after being rushed to a hospital. An autopsy determined she died of blunt-force injuries.

Prosecutors said Marin beat her daughter to death because she was angry that the girl had wet herself and that Brielle had gone into the kitchen at night in search of food. They said the girl had bruises from head to toe and suffered over 50 injuries.

“This case is about murder,” Judge Charles Temple said, according to WMUR-TV. “It is about the senseless, cruel and absolutely inhumane murder of a 3-year-old girl.”

Prosecutors had said Marin felt strong hostility toward Brielle, telling police the child “was going to be with me forever because of her problems, because she’s delayed.” Marin told police she was going to “die an old lady” with her daughter, prosecutors said.

Marin did not take the stand during the two-week trial. Her attorney had argued that Marin’s former boyfriend might have been responsible for Brielle’s death.

Marin is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 2.