No Bail For Stepmother Charged In Roxbury Boy's Death

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — The stepmother of a 3-year-old boy who died after being found unresponsive at his home earlier this year was ordered held without bail Wednesday.

Maria Buie, 26, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder at her arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court in the beating death of Kenai Whyte.

The boy was found unresponsive in his home in Roxbury on the night of Jan. 31 and died of his injuries on Feb. 2.

Prosecutor Craig Iannini said Whyte had extensive injuries.

"He had fractured vertebra in the neck, retinal bleeding, bruising to both ears, bruising behind both ears, bruising to the top and rear of his scalp, bruising and a contusion to the forehead," Iannini told the judge.

Prosecutors say Buie was the boy's only caregiver when police arrived at his father's home.

Buie's attorney Sam Zaganjori said Wednesday his client considered Kenai "her own son," and loved him the "same way she loves her own daughter."

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports

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