Woonsocket woman charged with toddler’s death sobs in court

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A woman accused of beating her 3-year-old nephew to death sobbed during her trial yesterday.

Katherine Bunnell broke down as a detective testified about interviewing her shortly after Thomas "T.J." Wright suffered the injuries that killed him in October 2004.

Wright and his siblings had been placed in Bunnell's care. She's charged with murder and conspiracy.

A judge warned Bunnell against further outbursts.

On Wednesday, a baby sitter testified that Bunnell dragged T.J. out of bed, beat him and poured a container of milk over his head because the toddler made a mess.

Bunnell's attorney says Bunnell's boyfriend, Gilbert Delestre, is responsible for the child's death. Delestre has also been charged and will be tried separately.