NEW YORK, NY January 18, 2006 —District Attorney Charles Hynes laid out the last hours of the young life of Nixzmary Brown in disturbing detail yesterday. Both her parents face multiple charges including the top count of second degree murder. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

Hynes said on January 10th, Nixzmary had been banished to a rodent infested room called the "dirty room" for taking yogurt. Then, her stepfather punished her by dunking her in a bathtub and that's when he allegedly delivered a blow to her head that killed her.

Hynes said an autopsy revealed the child had massive hemorraghing under the scalp and was bleeding from the brain. She also had marks on her head, torso, legs and arms and two black eyes that prosecutors allege were given to her by her mother.

ACS caseworkers had contact with the child but failed to recognize she was being hurt. Prosecutors allege other children in the house were also being abused. Both parents could serve 25 years to life in prison if convicted.