The 23-month-old girl's father, John Castro, is on trial, charged with aggravated murder, assault and child abuse.
The girl's mother, Suzane Lotino, testified yesterday that she left the child in Castro's care when she worked overnight shifts, Pacific Daily News reported. When she would come home, the girl would have injuries that Castro said came from accidents.
"He would say they were playing and tripped and fell," Lotino said.
The girl was crying and limping afterward, Lotino said. He also spanked her so hard once that the girl was bruised for months, Lotino said.
Castro's defense attorneys have said there's no probable cause to show he's responsible for the child's death.
Lotino said she didn't leave Castro because there was nowhere to go and she was too proud and stubborn to ask family for help.