An affidavit of probable cause outlined "unthinkable acts of child abuse that spanned several years," said KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Jeff Dubois.

According to the documents prepared by prosecutors, Kimberly Ann Forder made Christopher Michael Forder sleep in a crib, eat dog food and wear soiled diapers on his head as punishment, among other alleged acts of abuse and neglect.

Kimberly Forder, 43, pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on Monday afternoon. She is being held on $1 million bail for investigation of homicide by abuse and manslaughter.

The boy died in November 2002. Kitsap County Sheriff's Detective Lori Blankenship told reporters what she saw when she was called to the Seabeck house where the boy had died.

"I saw a lifeless young boy who appeared to be battered, multiple bruises throughout his body," she said.

Blankenship said she suspected abuse but could not prove it until this summer, when one of Christopher's adult sisters told a case worker that Christopher died because his mother refused to take him to a doctor for his breathing problems.

Since then, two more siblings told police Kimberly Forder began abusing Christopher right after she adopted him.

Forder was arrested as she returned to Kitsap County for medical treatment from Liberia, where she and her family worked in a Christian ministry, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reported.

Neighbors said Forder was polite and helpful but added that the family kept to themselves and that children in the household were home-schooled.