A Livingston County jury has convicted foster-mom Heather Lamie of murder.

The 31-year-old Kankakee woman was found guilty (Tuesday) of both murder and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the May 2011 death of Kianna Rudesill of Bloomington.

A jury of six men and six women returned the verdict after about six hours of deliberations that began Monday afternoon. Lamie was taken into custody.

The former Cullom resident and her husband, Joshua, had to be helped from the courtroom. Sentencing is set for November 21st.

Several experts who testified for the state during the week-long trial said Kianna had 33 bruises throughout her body, including under her arms, on her legs, on her back and on her head.

Four-year-old Kianna died May 4, 2011 of head injuries, which an autopsy revealed were caused by blunt force trauma. Lamie, was initially charged with two counts of murder and one count of endangering the life or health of a child in the case.

Livingston County State's Attorney Seth Uphoff, on Monday, withdrew the murder count that alleged intent. The remaining murder charge alleges Lamie knew her actions had a strong probability of death or bodily harm for Kianna.

94.1 WGFA