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Jul 24, 2008 4:10 pm US/Eastern

Mom Accused Of Poisoning Son Sent To Mental Hosp.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) ― A mother accused of deliberately injecting her 4-month-old son with salt water will be sent to a state mental hospital because she suffers from severe depression and psychiatrists are testing her for Munchausen by Proxy syndrome.

Amber Brewington, 21, of Duck River, Tenn., appeared in court via videoconference for a competency hearing.

Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey Manning ordered that Brewington be sent to Mayview State Hospital for no more than 90 days.

Psychiatrist Christine Martone testified that Brewington needs to be tested for Munchausen, a syndrome in which a caregiver fakes or induces illness in others to generate sympathy.

Martone says Brewington also has a borderline personality disorder and admits to having suicidal thoughts.