SOUTH BEND – Jurors heard emotional testimony from Dellia Castile's daughter in court on Tuesday.
Castile is the South Bend grandmother who faces 3 counts of neglect. She's accused of not reporting abuse which led to her 10-year-old grandson’s death inside their home on West Washington St. last November.
Her son, Terry Sturgis, is serving life in prison for murdering his son Tramelle Sturgis.
Castile broke down crying during day 4 of testimony in her child neglect trial.
In court on Tuesday, Castile was taken back to the day her grandson died. It was the first time she has broken down in court. She broke down a number of times, crying and shaking as the defense showed the jury Castile’s videotaped interview with investigators the day Tramelle was found beaten to death.
Castile lived in the South Bend home with her son and grandkids. She lived upstairs, while her son Terry Sturgis lived in the basement with his kids.
In the videotaped interview, Castile was asked, “Have you ever seen your son (Terry Sturgis) hit the kids?
“I’ve seen him use a comb (haircomb) to discipline them,” she replied.
Then, investigators asked, “Did you see marks on the kids, particularly Tramelle?
And she was asked, “Do you want to tell us (police/investigators) what happened inside the home?”
Castile answered, “I don’t have a clue what happened in the basement.”
In that interview, Castile said, “I’m not covering for my son,” and she told police if her son was abusing one of the kids, she would tell them.
Castile's daughter lived at the home on and off while the children were being abused. When she took the stand, investigators asked her, "Did you and your mom (Castile) ever talk about how Terry (Sturgis) disciplined the kids?"
She answered, "The kids never came up (in conversation). Mommy only tended to the kids she had custody of."
Castile's daughter broke down crying and left the courtroom crying with her head down.
Closing arguments are expected on Wednesday.
