Mom accused of poisoning baby sent to hospital
PITTSBURGH — A mother accused of repeatedly injecting her 4-month-old son with salt water will be sent to a state mental hospital after a psychiatrist testified Thursday that she is severely depressed.
Judge Jeffrey Manning ordered Amber Brewington, 21, of Duck River, Tenn., to spend no more than 90 days at Mayview State Hospital.
Psychiatrist Christine Martone, who evaluated Brewington on two occasions, testified at the competency hearing that Brewington should be tested for Munchausen by proxy, a syndrome in which a caregiver fakes or induces illness in others to generate sympathy.
Brewington also has a borderline personality disorder, is severely depressed and admits having suicidal thoughts, Martone said.
