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'Distraught' Julianne McCrery On Suicide Watch

BOSTON (CBS) - According to her attorney, Julianne McCrery was distraught and suicidal after she was taken into custody for the death of her 6-year-old son, Camden Pierce Hughes.

"She's crying, she's distraught and says 'I want to leave this earth as soon as possible,'" said George Murphy, McCrery's court-appointed defense attorney.

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Wearing hospital scrubs and looking despondent, 42-year-old Julianne McCrery told Murphy that she no longer wants to be alive. Instead, she wants to be with her son in heaven.

WBZ-TV's Paul Burton reports.

"She told me that she tried to go to heaven while she's been up here. And I said, 'Did you try to commit suicide?' She said 'Yes,'" said Murphy.

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After she was taken into custody on Wednesday, she was questioned by police for several hours before being transported to Emerson Hospital for a mental evaluation.

Camden Pierce Hughes
Camden Pierce Hughes (credit: LuRae McCrery)

"I know she was offered food by police, and she declined," said Murphy.

On Thursday, McCrery was transported to New Hampshire after her fugitive-from-justice charge was dismissed to face second degree murder charges in Camden's death.

McCrery told the judge in Concord she understood all the charges she faces and willingly waived her rendition rights from Massachusetts.

McCrery is accused of killing her son in a motel room in New Hampshire and dumping his body on a secluded road in southern Maine.

Right now, it's unclear why McCrery drove all the way from Texas to New Hamphire to do the unthinkable.

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"I don't believe she was up here for a trip. I believe she was up here to bring both her son and herself to heaven," said Murphy.

Murphy added that McCrery said she would prefer the dealth penalty because that will get her to heaven faster. McCrery also told him that she tried to kill herself back in 2004 because of poor relationships.

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