McMINNVILLE, Tenn. -- A trial that took four years to begin got under way on Wednesday.

Video: Day Care Worker Goes To Trial In Child's Death

A McMinnville day care owner and foster mother is accused of killing a 6-year-old girl the state entrusted to her care.

Residents in McMinnville call it the most continued trial in Warren County history after several continuations. But on Wednesday, the prosecution made its case. The defense has the floor on Thursday.

Six-year-old Cheyenne Delp’s foster mother, Sherri Mathis, is accused of killing her. Delp and her two brothers lived with Mathis.

Delp’s teachers said that she could be difficult at times and threw tantrums and sometimes hurt herself, but they said they also remember Delp craving attention.

Prosecutors said Delp suffered unbelievable abuse at the hands of Mathis. They said that Mathis beat her, choked her and on June 26, 2004, killed her.

Autopsy reports show that Delp died of strangulation. Prosecutors said Mathis strangled her to death, but the defense argued that Delp strangled herself to death.

Local reporters said the trial was a tough one to sit through.

“Anytime, it’s difficult. I have two children of my own. My oldest son would be Cheyenne Delp’s age if she had lived. … It’s always difficult when it involved a child, a helpless child. Especially when you see autopsy photos that are just really alarming,” said Southern Standard reporter Duane Sherrill.

Prosecutors said they hope the trial is in the jury’s hands by the end of the week.