Written by
The Associated Press
LARGO, Fla. (AP) - A Tampa Bay area woman who ran a home daycare has been convicted in an infant girl's death.
A Pinellas County jury found 40-year-old Stephanie Spurgeon, of Palm Harbor, guilty of manslaughter Thursday. She faces up to 15 years at her May 7 sentencing.
Prosecutors argued that Spurgeon injured Maria in August 2008, because the child was fussy and wouldn't go to sleep.
Defense attorneys say no witnesses saw Spurgeon harm Maria Harris.
Prosecutors say the girl was healthy at her one-year checkup a few days before she began staying with Spurgeon. The girl's grandmother also testified that Maria was fine the morning she was dropped off. She was rushed to the hospital later that day with severe injuries, including bleeding in the brain.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)