Judge denies mistrial request for foster parents charged in 2-year-old's death

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — The jury has gone home for the evening following an intense day of deliberations in the trial for a Henry County couple accused of killing their foster daughter.

Jennifer and Joseph Rosenbaum have been on trial for weeks for the 2015 death of 2-year-old Laila Daniel.

Channel 2 Action News has followed every step of the case and the trial since the day she died. Channel 2's Sophia Choi was in the courtroom Tuesday.

After weeks of testimony, the defense asked for a mistrial, saying a local reporter spoke to a juror and asking how is it going.

The judge dismissed the motion after questioning the reporter in open court and gave a warning.

"It appears the juror acted 100 percent appropriately," the judge said.

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Tuesday marked the second day of deliberations in the Rosenbaum trial. The couple is accused of beating Laila to death just four months after taking her into their home.

A GBI autopsy showed Laila died from a hard hit to the stomach that damaged her internal organs. She also had cuts and bruises all over her body.

The defense argued Daniel died from choking on a chicken nugget and the bruising is from Jennifer Rosenbaum trying to save her.

Choi spoke with Laila's second cousin Tuesday. She said the family is convinced the couple is guilty especially after learning Laila broke her leg and the couple never took her to a doctor.

The jury asked the judge if person who wasn't present when a crime can committed be held guilty. The Rosenbaums are facing 49 charges.

Deliberations will resume at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Cox Media Group