A Ugandan maid pleaded guilty on Monday to torturing a toddler she was taking care of, including slapping, kicking and stomping on her, the Associated Press reported.
Jolly Tumuhiirwe, 22, was dubbed the "monster maid" after a video released in November that showed her hitting the child, who is less than two years, in the mouth while feeding her on a couch went viral. She throws the girl onto the floor after she throws up, beats her with an object and then kicks her across the floor.
The incident was secretly recorded with a camera set up by the girl's father, who later beat Tumuhiirwe when he saw what happened, the AP reported. Police arrested the father after the maid accused him of assault, but she was later arrested once he showed police the footage, attorneys said.
Tumuhiirwe admitted to the torturing charges and was convicted, but her lawyer, Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, says she did not receive a fair trial.
The lawyer showed up late to the Monday court date and asked for an adjournment, which he was denied, the AP reported. Had he been there, Tumuhiirwe would not have pleaded guilty to the torture charges.
"She has been convicted on her own plea of guilty. She did not understand what she was pleading to," Rwakafuuzi said according to the AP. "You cannot charge people with such serious offenses unless that they have legal representation in court."
Tumuhiirwe faces up to 15 years in prison at her sentencing on Wednesday.
