Mother Pleads Not Guilty In Birthday Cake Beating Case
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- 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.
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 says he will vigorously defend Garcia, who is devastated by the loss of her child, against the charges.
Garcia is charged with her boyfriend and her brother in the July 5 death of Jack Garcia of Hagerstown.
Police say she allowed Jack to be handcuffed and beaten to punish him for stealing. Police say Garcia also denied her son treatment for hours by sending away an ambulance after he was beaten unconscious June 30.
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