ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Erica Bell has been found guilty of murder in the 2016 death of 3-year-old Brook Stagles, her boyfriend's daughter.

Bell was found guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.

“I feel the people have proven beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant consciously disregarded a grave risk of serious physical injury not only in punching Brook, but in not doing anything to get her to a hospital and actively preventing efforts by others to get her to a hospital,” said Judge Christopher Ciaccio.

Bell opted for a bench trial and Ciaccio heard about two weeks of testimony from medical experts, law enforcement, as well as Bell's friends and family. Bell also testified in her own defense. Much of the testimony focused on how Bell punched the little girl then prevented her from getting medical attention days before she died. 

Prosecutors argued Bell beat the child and they played back recorded jailhouse phone calls where Bell is heard admitting to her grandmother that she hit Brook in the stomach and didn't want Michael to take her to the hospital.

The judge said the jail calls indicated that Bell expressed no concern for Brook and was solely focused on what would happen to her.

"She is supremely selfish, concerned only with her self-preservation. She acted with depraved indifference because her selfishness was inhuman. If human means being anything, it is taking care of those who have placed themselves in your care," said Ciaccio.

The defense argued that Bell is a victim of domestic violence and abuse by Brook's father, Michael. Her testimony blamed him for what happened saying she was afraid of him so took the blame.

Michael will go on trial next month for criminally negligent homicide in connection with his daughter's death. 

Sentencing for Bell is scheduled for November 8.

Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo released a statement saying in part, "This trial has provided an opportunity to start a broader conversation about the societal challenges that imperil children across our nation. I look forward to discussing next week what Monroe County has done, continues to do and will do moving forward to keep children safe.”