HAGERSTOWN, Md. – The mother of a 9-year-old boy who was fatally beaten over what police say was a piece of missing birthday cake has pleaded not guilty to murder and child abuse charges.
Online court records show that 26-year-old Oriana Garcia filed the pleas Thursday in Washington County Circuit Court. She requested a jury trial.
Defense attorney David Harbin didn't immediately respond Friday to a telephone call and email from The Associated Press.
Garcia is charged along with her boyfriend and her brother in the July 5 death of Jack Garcia of Hagerstown.
Police say she allowed the child to be handcuffed and beaten to punish him for stealing. Police say Garcia also denied her son medical treatment for hours by sending away an ambulance after he was beaten unconscious June 30.
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