Peggy Sue Hilt of Wake Forest, North Carolina, told police after the July 2005 death of Nina Hilt that she flew into a rage when the girl would not stop crying and repeatedly punched, kicked, and stepped on the girl.
Nina, who was 16 months old when she was adopted, died the next day.
The prosecution urged a severe sentence for Hilt, and the 25-year term exceeded the sentencing guideline range of 12 to 21 years.
The case prompted outrage in Russia and calls for tougher rules governing foreign adoptions.
(AP)
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