ROSEVILLE, Calif. — The woman accused of killing her 9-year-old adoptive son appeared in court for the first time Friday afternoon.
Kimberly Blakley and her husband Cory Blakley are facing murder and torture charges along with a count of child endangerment for each of their seven children ages 6 to 13. Two of the children are the Blakley’s the other five are adopted.
Cory Blakley did not make an appearance Friday. The Placer County District Attorney wasn’t sure why.
The arraignment was pushed to Friday morning because the Blakley’s attorneys didn’t have a copy of the charges their clients are facing.
Kimberly Blakley was sobbing from the moment she appeared in court until the end when the judged remanded her into custody without bail. She fell to her knees as the judge read the murder charge she is facing for the death of her 9-year-old adoptive son, who died at UC Davis Monday, Feb. 5.
First responders were called to the home on New England Drive in Roseville Feb. 2 for medical aid, according to the Roseville Police Department.
Court documents reveal the Blakley’s are accused of torturing the child, Kimberly is also facing special allegations for the child being comatose due to brain injury suffering paralysis.
ABC10 asked DA Morgan Gire to elaborate on the charge for torture.
"I can’t share the specifics, but it means someone inflicted cruel pain on someone for those purposes," said Gire. "It’s always incredibly tragic when children are victims of crime."
The couple is also facing a misdemeanor cruelty to child charge for each of their kids. The district attorney says those charges are for separate instances of abuse.
The couple is being charged together, but Cory Blakley has retained his own attorney. Kimberly has been assigned a public defender.
The DA's office says if Cory refuses to appear again next week, they're prepared to forcibly bring him out of the cell. They would prefer he appear in court voluntarily Feb. 16.
