New York, NY —

Maria Gonzalez did not testify voluntarily.

The defense subpoenaed her in hopes that she would back up claims that Nixmary's mother was mentally unstable, but she repeatedly answered "no" when asked if her daughter sought psychiatric help or was taking psychiatric drugs.

The defense was quick to point out that she acknowledged Nixzmary's home appeared normal and that there were no signs she was being starved during a week long visit in 2004.

That's more than a year before Nixmary was found beaten to death and weighing just 36 pounds.

Gonzalez also told jurors her daughter had an 8th grade education, left her home with a boy at 17 and by 26 had 4 kids with 3 different men.

Her testimony will continue today.

For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez.