An Aztec woman accused of trying to kill her son with an overdose of antipsychotic prescription medication while trying to kill herself pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of first-degree child abuse and second-degree attempted murder, the Farmington Daily Times reported.

Charlene Francisco, 30, could face up to 27 years in prison if she is convicted of the crimes, the Daily Times said.

Prosecutors reportedly offered Francisco a plea bargain in which she would plead guilty only to the attempted murder charge, which would have meant a nine-year prison sentence, the paper reported.

But Public Defender Rob Brambi said his client turned down the plea, according to the Daily Times.

"She's just not the horrible person she's been made out to be ... I expect that a lot of other evidence is going to come out," Brambi said.

On July 21, Francisco allegedly gave her 8-year-old son as many as eight different pills of two different medications while reportedly trying to commit suicide in her home at the Charro Mobile Home Park in Aztec, the Daily Times said.

Francisco allegedly later told police that she was concerned that if she killed herself there would be no one to look after her mentally challenged son, the paper reported.

She is being held at the San Juan County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond, the Daily Times said.

The boy, who received weeks of medical treatment at the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital, is now in the care of the state Children, Youth and Families Department, Deputy District Attorney Brent Capshaw said. 

7:10am 8/8/08 -- Aztec Mother Bound Over for Trial: Prosecutors say plea deal may be in the works for woman accused of trying to kill her son, herself.

An Aztec mother charged with attempted murder of her son with an overdose of antipsychotic prescription medication waived her preliminary hearing in Magistrate Court and was bound over for trial on Thursday, the Farmington Daily Times reported.

But prosecutors said the mother, who also allegedly planned to kill herself, may plead guilty to a second-degree felony charge in exchange for dropping an aggravated battery charge, the Daily Times said.

Charlene Francisco, 30, allegedly tried to commit suicide on July 21 after giving her 8-year-old son as many as eight different pills containing two different medicines used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in children, the paper reported.

Aztec police said the woman also tried to stab her son while he lay drugged on the floor, according to the Daily Times.

Franciso allegedly told police that she was concerned that if she killed herself there would be no one to care for her son, who she described as a difficult child, the paper said.

The boy, who received medical treatment at University of New Mexico Children's Hospital in Albuquerque, is now in the custody of the state Children, Youth and Families Department, prosecutor Brent Capshaw told the Daily Times.

Francisco, who has other children who are in the care of relatives, has no criminal history and no record of past abuse, the paper said.

She is being held at the San Juan County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond, the Daily Times said.

5:35am 7/30/08 -- Mom Accused of Trying To Kill Son, Herself: Aztec woman arrested for allegedly giving antipsychotics to 8-year-old boy.

Charlene Francisco, 30, of Aztec, was arrested Monday and charged with child abuse and attempted murder after allegedly trying to kill herself and her 8-year-old son with an overdose of the boy's antipsychotic prescription medication, the Farmington Daily Times reported.

The woman allegedly told police that she gave her child as many as eight different pills from two different medications used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in children, the Daily Times said.

"She finally admitted giving (the victim) the medication and telling him, if I go, you're going with me," police said in arrest documents.

Paramedics and Aztec police were dispatched to the woman's home at the Charro Mobile Home Park after Francisco called 911 to say she had taken a similar combination of her son's prescription medications, the Daily Times said.

The boy was reported to be in satisfactory condition Tuesday at the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital in Albuquerque, the paper said.

Francisco was given medical and psychiatric treatment at San Juan Regional Medical Center following the incident and was arrested Monday after being discharged from the hospital, the Daily Times reported.

She is being held at the San Juan County Detention Center of a $100,000 bond, facing charges of first-degree child abuse, second-degree attempted murder and third-degree aggravated battery, the paper said.

Francisco, who has other children being cared for by relatives, has no criminal history and no past reports of abuse, according to the Daily Times.

State Children, Youth and Families Department officials have applied for custody of the child, the paper said.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 7.

If convicted of the crimes, Francisco could face up to 30 years in prison, the Daily Times said.