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Attorney: Psychiatric Defense Unlikely In Murder Of NYC 4-Year-Old At Hands Of Caregiver

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - A caregiver accused of beating and starving a 4-year-old New York City boy isn't planning to pursue a psychiatric defense in her murder case.

Kryzie King's lawyer said Wednesday it's unlikely King will raise any defense that would be based on claims of a psychological problem. Attorney Bryan Konoski wouldn't discuss what King's defense would be. She has pleaded not guilty.

The boy, Myls Dobson, was found unconscious last January in King's apartment. Medical examiners ruled Myls died of child abuse, including dehydration.

Court documents say King told police she'd battered Myls but said he suffered his fatal injury in a fall.

According to prosecutors, King allegedly bound Dobson's hands and feet, struck him with an electrical cord and belt buckle, locked him outside on a patio in low temperatures, burned him with a hot oven rack and watched him starve, losing up to 20 pounds, all while he was in her care during three weeks in December.

Kryzie King, 27, faces murder, assault, and attempted assault charges in the death of Myls.

King was caring for Myls while his father was jailed. His mother had lost custody.

The case spurred changes at the city's child welfare agency.

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