Jury hears from Visalia mom of toddler beaten to death

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Jurors heard from the mother of a South Valley toddler on Friday, who died after she was beaten to death.

Nicole Lee is on trial for felony child endangerment in the death of her 3-year-old daughter, Natalynn. Her boyfriend, Ryann Jones, was found guilty of murdering Natalynn late last year.

Nicole Lee sometimes shook her head when she was interviewed by Visalia police shortly after her 3-year-old daughter was brutally manhandled and killed by her boyfriend, Ryann Jones. Several times Lee said she couldn't believe Jones would harm Natalynn.

"I understand your concern and I definitely, I am still hoping that it's going to be something not like that, and I don't see Ryan doing that at all," said Lee.

Two people who worked with Lee prior to and after Natalynn's death also told the court what they heard and saw in 2009. One coworker remembered when Lee told her Jones broke up with her after she asked someone else to babysit Natalynn because she didn't like the toddler staying with him.

"And I said what 26-year-old man, single, no kids would want to babysit your child, that's unusual. I think that's a good thing you finally saw the light and not leave her with him," that coworker said.

Another coworker told the court when Natalynn came into the store she was friendly and always said 'hi.'

"She was a very smart little girl," the coworker said.

On one occasion, when Jones dropped Natalynn off at Lee's work, the same coworker recalled seeing some injuries on Natalynn.

"She came in and she had like a small bruise on her cheek, and she had like a gash on the underneath side of her lip, and he didn't know how it happened," the coworker said.

Prosecutors believe Lee should shoulder some blame for failing to protect Natalynn. She is also facing drug charges. If convicted, Lee faces up to 10 years in prison.