The mother of Nixzmary Brown was sentenced Wednesday to up to 43 years in prison for doing nothing as her abused and malnourished child lay dying on an apartment floor.

Judge Patricia DiMango said the 7-year-old child?s life could have been saved if Santiago had taken her to the hospital.

Santiago was convicted of manslaughter on Oct. 17. Her husband, Cesar Rodriguez, was previously found guilty of the same charge. Prosecutors said Rodriguez beat and tortured his stepdaughter after she was caught stealing yogurt from the refrigerator in January 2006. He was sentenced to 29 years behind bars.

In the course of the trial, Santiago?s attorney attempted to explain the mother?s decision not to rush the girl to the hospital by claiming she was not aware that Nixzmary was dying. The defense also alleged that Santiago herself was a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband.

Deliberations begin in trial of Nixzmary Brown's mom Closing arguments presented in Nixzaliz Santiago trial