A Phoenix mother pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that she murdered her three young sons, all of whom were fatally stabbed to death earlier this month, Reuters reports.
Octavia Rogers, 29, reportedly cried loudly as her plea was entered in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix. Rogers is facing three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 8-year-old Jaikare Rahaman, 5-year-old Jeremiah Adams and 2-month-old Avery Robinson.
According to the report, Rogers cried "Help me" several times as her attorney, Gary Bevilacqua, tried to comfort her.
"It's obvious that my client has mental-health issues," Bevilacqua told Reuters.
The bodies of Rogers' two eldest sons were found partially dismembered in what police called a "horrific scene." Baby Avery's body was found inside a suitcase in the home.
After fatally stabbing her children, authorities charge, the mother stabbed herself, too, but survived the self-inflicted wounds.
According to Reuters, prosecutors have not yet determined whether they will seek the death penalty in the case.
Read more at Reuters.