Woman pleads not guilty in death of 3-year-old boy

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Henrico County woman has pleaded not guilty in the death of a 3-year-old boy.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports (https://bit.ly/1t4nu9S) 33-year-old Alexis Raiford entered a plea on Monday of not guilty to several charges including murder and child abuse and neglect in the April 2015 death of Zyon Thompson.

Prosecutors say the child died of dehydration after being subjected to extreme abuse, including being forced to eat crab seasoning.

Raiford is one of three defendants charged in the child’s death. Her husband Clarence Raiford Jr. and William Corey Moore were convicted in December of felony murder and child abuse charges. Their sentencings are pending.

Zyon was in the Raifords’ care at the time of his death.

Opening statements in Alexis Raiford’s trial are expected to begin Tuesday.

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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, https://www.timesdispatch.com