PORTLAND – A Harrison woman pleaded not guilty in Cumberland County Superior Court Thursday to killing her 3-month-old son.

Pamela Henderson, 43, of 12 Mill St. is being held without bail at the Cumberland County Jail on one count of murder.

Henderson was indicted May 9 in relation to an incident on March 5, when police were dispatched to her apartment after a report that Henderson’s son, Zachary, had drowned in the bathtub. According to court records, Henderson called Zachary’s father, James Storey, and said, “I’ve done something bad … I’ve killed the baby.”

The records state that Henderson told police she fell asleep with Zachary in the tub and awoke to find him dead under the water. Storey told police he found the baby dead in his crib, fully clothed and dry. Henderson was sitting on the couch, also dry, with a bandage on her wrist.

Police said Henderson took pills and cut her wrist after the baby’s death and was taken to Bridgton Hospital for treatment.

The death of any child under the age of 3 is considered suspicious under Maine state law. The day after the incident, police searched Henderson’s home and seized several items, including wet towels from a hamper, damp baby clothes, several baby blankets from the crib, a computer, a handwritten note, a knife and pills.

Henderson appeared in court before Justice Roland Cole wearing leg irons, white slacks and a green shirt. Cole said defense attorney Robert Lebrasseur was appointed to represent Henderson after she was found indigent.

Assistant Attorney General Lisa Marchese asked that Henderson be given two psychological examinations. Lebrasseur objected and asked that the results of the exams be impounded.

Cole ordered Henderson to be held without bail pending a bail hearing. He also ordered that she undergo the examinations and that the results be impounded.

The State Medical Examiner’s Office completed an autopsy on Zachary Henderson after his death, but the results have not been disclosed. Henderson was charged after police and prosecutors convinced a grand jury that there was evidence of murder in the infant’s death.