A Brooklyn woman was arraigned Friday on charges she beat her 3-year-old nephew to death over spelling lessons.

Christen Dale, 21, remains in custody following her court appearance.

Prosecutors say she was babysitting Ethan Ali Wednesday when police were called to the boy's home in Brownsville.

His body was found covered with bruises and lash marks. 

Police say she beat him with a belt.

Officials say Dale beat him when he refused to complete his spelling lessons. 

Dale has pleaded not guilty.

Her attorney, Michael Gold, described the beating as "excessive discipline gone bad."

He's also requested she be put on suicide watch. 

"Obviously, she is distraught, first and foremost, by the death of her beloved nephew," Gold said. "At school, where she was primarily responsible for taking Ethan and bringing him home, they looked upon her as the parent. She was that active, that involved."

"There are issues throughout this country, throughout the world, about what constitutes appropriate levels of discipline and what constitutes abuse," Gold added.

Dale is facing counts of manslaughter, assault, child endangerment and criminal weapons possession. If convicted, she faces 15 years in prison.

Her family members were present in court for the arraignment. They did not speak to the media, but Dale's attorney said they're ready to testify that she was not abusive to her nephew.