Mother accused of child abuse in daughter's death sentenced

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee mother charged with child abuse learned her sentence on Monday. 

Tiffany Payne admitted to hitting her daughter who was found dead in her home in 2017. Payne has been sentenced to four years in prison and 4 years extended supervision.

Payne was charged with child abuse after authorities say her daughter, Lesley Hill, was found unresponsive at her north side home. It happened in August 2017, just four days shy of the little girl's 2nd birthday. 

Police later ruled the child's death a homicide. Payne admitted to hitting her daughter on the head because she said she was upset she was whining. The prosecutor says Payne deserves to serve time behind bars. 

"Our community at large needs to know that when a young, vulnerable member of our community is abused, that there will be accountability and responsibility on the parts of those who inflicted that harm," said Milwaukee County Deputy District Attorney Matthew Torbenson. 

The judge also ordered Payne to attend parenting and anger management classes.