A Rockland County mother has pleaded not guilty in the January death of her 5-year-old son.

Lacey Spears, who now lives in Kentucky with her parents, was indicted on murder and manslaughter charges in the death of her son, Garnett.

When the boy died at Westchester Medical Center, doctors found suspiciously high levels of sodium in his body. His death was ruled non-accidental in April. Police say they have been suspicious of Spears from the start and believe she poisoned Garnett with salt while they lived where she worked at the Fellowship Retirement Community.

Police are investigating if this is a case of Munchausen by Proxy, a disorder where a parent deliberately harms their child to gain sympathy and attention for themselves. Investigators believe Spears had abused her son for years.