Judge won't dismiss child porn charge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A Superior Court magistrate has declined to dismiss child pornography charges against a Providence woman accused of taking graphic photos and video of an 8-year-old relative.

The Providence Journal reports that Magistrate John F. McBurney III found there was probable cause for felony charges of producing, possessing and transferring child pornography against Arunothai Asawabowornan. He says a reasonable jury could conclude the images were graphic or lascivious as required by law.

Asawabowornan argues there wasn't evidence of intent to elicit a sexual response as required by law. Her lawyer questioned whether any of the images could be interpreted as pornographic.

A native of Thailand, Asawabowornan was arrested in February 2011. The court ruling says she became the legal guardian for the girl in 2006 or 2007 while still living in Thailand.