Heated closing arguments for foster parents accused of killing Laila

Closing statements lasted about four hours Friday afternoon in the Henry County murder trial that began July 8. The defense rested its case earlier Friday, and prosecutors were the first to make their closing arguments.

“She (Laila) died a painful and a slow death,” Edward Chase, a DeKalb County prosecutor, told the jurors. “And think about this, the last person she saw was the person who killed her.”

The DeKalb County district attorney’s office is prosecuting the case because the Henry County DA’s office recused itself. Jennifer Rosenbaum once worked as an intern for the Henry DA.

Laila’s biological mother, Tessa Daniel, wiped away tears before leaving the courtroom during closing arguments. Others in the courtroom shook their heads as in disbelief, including Jennifer Rosenbaum.

According to investigators, Jennifer Rosenbaum called 911 on Nov. 17, 2015, to report that Laila was choking on a chicken nugget. The foster mother said she then attempted lifesaving measures, including CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.

But paramedics immediately noticed the unresponsive toddler had extensive bruising. Medical staff at Piedmont Henry Hospital also saw the injuries and called police. When Laila died, her older sister, Millie, was also found with bruises.

Credit: Alyssa Pointer

Credit: Alyssa Pointer

“She had bruising, but nowhere as extensive as Laila,” Julie Espinosa, a nurse who worked at Piedmont Henry Hospital at the time, testified last week. Millie, then 4, said Laila had been “asleep for a while” before paramedics and police arrived to the girls’ foster home in November 2015, Espinosa testified.

» RELATED: The short life and tragic death of Laila Marie Daniel

An autopsy, conducted by the GBI, determined Laila died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen, which split her pancreas in two and lacerated her liver. She also had broken bones, bruises and lacerations. Dr. Lora Darrisaw testified there were no signs the child had choked.

During prosecutors’ closing arguments Friday afternoon, jurors were again shown autopsy pictures of Laila. The graphic images of the child’s injured body brought tears to the eyes of some in the courtroom.

The Rosenbaums’ attorney, Corinne Mull, argued the sisters were “rough and tumble” girls who often fell and injured themselves. The fatal injuries to Laila, Mull said, were the results of Jennifer Rosenbaum’s failed attempts to save her life.

“She unfortunately caused damages to the internal organs,” Mull said during her closing arguments.

Jennifer Rosenbaum, a former law student and candidate for Henry County commissioner, faces charges of malice and felony murder, child cruelty, aggravated assault and aggravated battery. Joseph Rosenbaum, who previously worked for the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, is charged with second-degree murder, accused of leaving Laila in his wife’s care when he allegedly knew she was abusing the child. The couple face a total of 49 counts.

“Someone has to pay and that’s what this is about. Someone has to pay,” Mull said. “But in real life, sometimes there are accidents.”

In her final statement, Mull asked the jurors to care for the Rosenbaums in the same way that she has during her four years as their attorney.

“Don’t sell them down the river to the first merchant that comes along,” she said.

Prosecutor Daysha Young delivered the final statements to the jury. Young called Laila and Millie “political props” for Jennifer Rosenbaum. The Rosenbaums instead brutally beat both sisters.

“We all still don’t know all that happened to that baby under their watch,” Young said.