Dominick Calhoun's mother was formally charged today in court.
Baker is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree child abuse.
Investigators say she had a number of opportunities to help her son and to help herself, but she did nothing.
Wearing orange- and white-striped Livingston County jail clothes, shackles and shorter hair, Corrine Baker made her way to the podium and stood next to her court-appointed attorney.
Baker silently cried as 67th District Court Judge John Conover explained the charges against her. Baker is accused of not doing enough to save the life of her son, Dominick Calhoun.
Investigators believe her boyfriend, Brandon Hayes, tortured and beat the 4-year-old boy over a period of four days and that she refused help for him, even when a number of people suggested she get him to the hospital.
Authorities say Hayes beat Baker as well, but she left their Argentine Township apartment at least once. He left at least twice and they had visitors.
Dominick was taken off of life support April 12. Hayes was charged three days later.
Baker's attorney Erwin Meiers III said police reports still need to be reviewed and questions if Genesee County is an appropriate venue to hear the case because of the overwhelming publicity.
"We are looking at that. Certainly everybody wants to have a fair hearing for both defendants in this matter."
Baker was held without bond for the murder charge and on a $1 million bond for the abuse charge.
One of the people in court today was Dominick Calhoun's aunt, Megan Calhoun.
After the hearing, she was still crying, wearing a T-shirt with a picture of her nephew. "I just want justice to be served," Calhoun said. "She was someone that was part of my life. She just let us all down," she said, referring to Baker.
Hayes faces a number of felonies, including torture and first-degree premeditated murder. His attorney has asked for a mental evaluation to determine if he's competent to stand trial.
A hearing will be held Tuesday.
Baker was originally taken into custody in Livingston County last week for a probation violation. She's expected to be sentenced in that case in Livingston County this Thursday.
She's expected back in a Genesee County courtroom next week.
