Woman who glued child’s hands to wall is “not a monster”, says mom

A Dallas woman who glued her 2-year-old daughter's hands to a wall says she will never forgive herself for the attack. 

As the sentencing hearing of Elizabeth Escalona, 23, continues, family members defended her, including the child's grandmother, Ofelia Escalona, who said her daughter "made a mistake" and needs help. 

"She's not a monster. She needs help," the woman, who is rearind her daughter's five children, said.

Escalona pleaded guilty in July to felony injury to a child and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors have called for a 45-year jail term. 

The court has heard of the abuse daughter, Jocelyn Cedillo, suffered at the hands of Escalona. She was kicked, hit with a milk jug and had her hands glued to a wall of the apartment with Super Glue, the The Washington Post reported.

Her other children said the violent attack was sparked by problems in potty training the toddler.

Jocelyn needed to be hospitalized, suffering bleeding in her brain, a fractured rib, multiple bruises and bite marks.

She was in a coma for two days, medical experts said.

"Only a monster would glue her daughter's hands and give her a brain injury," prosecutor Eren Price said Tuesday during the sentencing hearing.

But Fox News reported Escalona told the court she had changed. 

"I love my kids," Escalona said.

"I will never forgive myself for what I did to my own daughter," she said.

The Associated Press reported a tearful Ofelia Escalona said she blamed herself as her daughter was abused as a child and she should have helped her.

Escalona's sister, Margaret, also took the witness stand and pleaded to the court for leniency, said The Daily Herald.

Margaret Escalona said her sister "needs help" and a long jail term was not the answer.

"Her being taken away won't help any," she said.

The submissions on sentence are continuing.