Kinyardi S. Hewell, a young Cincinnati woman now charged with murder, was a loving, caring mother who would never harm any child, let alone her own, say her relatives.

        Yet they can't quite explain why Ms. Hewell's 7-month-old son, Samuel Hewell, is dead and Ms. Hewell, 19, of the 2000 block of Westwood Northern Boule vard, has been charged.

Hewell

        She entered a not-guilty plea to one count of murder at her arraignment Thursday. She was at the Justice Center on Thursday night, in lieu of $75,000 cash bond.

        Samuel had five fractured ribs, said Greg Cohen, Ms. Hewell's attorney. One rib punctured Samuel's liver, causing the child to bleed to death.

        Mr. Cohen said Ms. Hewell is known as kind and gentle and is not to blame. He said police have questioned other people.

        “She absolutely denies any involvement. She would never hurt her child. She is absolutely distraught,” he said. He declined further comment.

        Ms. Hewell moved from Georgia to Cincinnati almost two years ago. She was studying for a GED and working at a nursing home - East Galbraith Health Care Community Center in Deer Park - before her arrest.

        On Monday evening authorities received a 911 call about a nonresponsive infant at Ms. Hewell's home. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at Children's Hospital.

        “I know she didn't do it,” said her uncle, Sherwood Hewell of the 2200 block of Queen City Avenue. “She's a very sweet girl. In no way did she do it. (Her son) was like a little angel.”

        His wife, Sylvia, said, “She was always a caring, loving mother when with that baby.”

        Neighbors said that Ms. Hewell and her boyfriend often argued. They said they often heard arguing and loud noises coming from Ms. Hewell's apartment in the Shelton Gardens complex.

        The arguing seemed to start when the couple brought the baby home, said Tita Manuel, Ms. Hewell's next-door neighbor.

        “They seemed like a normal, happy couple. Then they had the baby,” she said. But, “I never heard her yell at the baby. It was a beautiful baby.”

Accomplice says Byrd didn't kill
Man lying in morgue 'not art,' family says
Taft school plan gets short shrift
Family stands by accused mom
Indicted officers' pay to be withheld
'Pimpernel' star inspires
RADEL: Judge's calls for order help maintain court's solemn role
Baby waiting for heart dies
Campbell County grand jury says son abused sick mother
Cops were warned before run-in
Covington, business fight tax
Five win Building Bridges honors
Former minister pleads not guilty
Hamilton won't close fire station
Kenton attorney expected to make switch to GOP today
Kenton Democrats rally
Kits help science learning
Lindner helps Hughes campaign
Lucas sits pretty as Blue Dog
Museum comes to school
Officers escape shotgun scare
Ohio voting systems debated
Trash-flingers targeted
Warren gives more to seniors
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report