Stepmother Won’t Take Plea Deal In Death Of 5-Year-Old

The Elm Grove woman accused in the death of her 5 year-old stepdaughter turns down a plea deal and is now headed to trial.

Prosecutors offered 35-year-old Catherine Murray Lowe a manslaughter deal, but she said now and will now face 2nd degree murder charges in the death of Anna Celeste Lowe. She faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted. Her trial is scheduled to begin on February 13th. The child's mother, Jamie Mercer was in court to hear the proceedings. The little girl died in January, a result of internal bleeding. Doctors determined her liver was cut in two places. Her father, Wesley Lowe is also awaiting trial.