Rehoboth Suspect in Beating Death of Toddler Ordered Held

FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) – A Rehoboth woman accused of beating her 2-year-old son to death has been ordered held without bail despite pleas from her lawyer that she be allowed to live with relatives because she is pregnant.

Kimberly Peno pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in Fall River Superior Court to a murder charge. Prosecutors say the 39-year-old woman beat her son, Timothy, to death in March.

Peno's attorney asked that his client be granted bail because she is 5 1/2 months pregnant and not receiving proper medical care while incarcerated. He also said Peno's release is in the best interests of the unborn child, and she is not a flight risk.

Prosecutors argued that Peno is a known abuser of drugs and alcohol.

Doctors determined the child suffered retinal hemorrhages and brain injuries.

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