Quincy mother charged with murdering her eight-year-old son

QUINCY -- A Quincy mother was charged with murder today for allegedly using a makeshift charcoal stove to fill her bedroom with the toxic fumes that claimed the life of her 8-year-old son Thursday afternoon.

The child has been identified as Brendan Yang, a third-grader at Snug Harbor Community School.

The mother was identified by law enforcement authorities as LiRong Zhang, 39. She was arraigned in her room at a Boston hospital today where she pleaded not guilty to a murder charge and was ordered held without bail.

At an afternoon press conference, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and Quincy Police Chief John Keenan said a motive for the disturbing act of domestic violence remains under investigation.

Before Thursday, Quincy police had responded just once to the family home and that took place in 2005 when Zhang and her husband, whose name was not immediately available got into a verbal argument, authorities said this afternoon. No one was arrested in the 2005 incident, officials said. Continue ►