A Burke County woman charged with beating her 3-year-old son to death in 2023 in Maryland pleaded guilty to the crime but was found to be not criminally responsible.

Gloria Elena Hughes, 39, of Morganton, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse resulting in the death of a child under 13 during Harford County Superior Court on July 7. Hughes was deemed not criminally responsible for either charge, according to court documents.

Hughes was transferred to the custody of the Maryland Department of Health where she is currently being held in a state psychiatric facility for an undetermined amount of time, according to the Harford County Clerk of Courts Office.

The Bel Air Police Department said previously that Hughes was found standing in the middle of a street hold

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