Mom pleads not guilty in son's murder

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) - A Rehoboth woman accused of beating her 2-year-old son to death pleaded not guilty during her arraignment Tuesday in Fall River Superior Court.

Kimberly Peno, 39, is charged with first-degree murder in the beating death of her son Timothy. A Bristol County grand jury indicted her last week.

The boy's father brought the child to the Seekonk police and fire headquarters back on March 18, with severe injuries to his body and head. The toddler was rushed to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, where he died several hours later.

At the time of Peno's arrest, her lawyer said Peno had a history of mental illness.

Outside of court Tuesday, Peno's friend and sister said Peno, who is five-and-a-half-months pregnant, needs to be in a mental institution getting treatment, not in jail.

Her sister are also upset Peno's husband is not facing charges. However, police have said they don't believe he was involved.

The Department of Children and Families told police Peno has a lengthy history of child abuse and neglect.

The night of the beating, Peno told police that she drank two large beers and took four Tylenol PM pills. The police report also indicated Peno's right hand was swollen and red, and that Timothy was bleeding from the nose and mouth, and had a severely bruised head and face.