PHILADELPHIA – A 48-year-old Philadelphia woman who authorities say split her 10-year-old stepdaughter's head open has been sentenced to life in prison in the girl's death.
The district attorney's office says Margarita Garabito began abusing her stepdaughter, Charlenni Ferreira, in 2006. They say Garabito beat "every inch of her body."
Ferreira died in 2009 from a buildup of fluid inside her chest as a result of broken ribs.
Prosecutors say Garabito tried to cover up a head wound Ferreira received with cotton gauze and hair extensions. Hair clips were used to affix the extensions and were embedded into her scalp like staples.
Authorities say the girl was also raped by Garabito's son. Ferreira's father was also arrested but hanged himself in prison.
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