The mother of two-year-old Nevaeh Allen, and the woman's boyfriend, are now both charged with second-degree murder in the girl's death.
Investigators say Lanaya Cardwell reportedly punched the toddler in the stomach, causing her to fall and suffer a head injury.
The girl's body was found on Sunday in Hancock County, Mississippi, after she was reported missing from her Baton Rouge home last Friday.
Cardwell's boyfriend, 30-year-old Phillip Gardner, had earlier been charged with obstruction of justice and unlawful disposal of remains.
Copyright © 2021 TTWN Media Networks Inc.