Detroit mother charged with torturing and murdering her 3-year-old son, body found in freezer

A Detroit mother who has been accused of torturing and murdering her 3-year-old son and then hiding the boy's body in a freezer pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges Sunday, CNN reports.

Azuradee France, 31, who also has five other children who lived in her home, was charged by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy with first-degree child abuse, torture and concealing a death.

The prosecutor's office says that France's next hearing is scheduled for July 8. 

The deceased child has been identified by family members in news reports as Chase Allen.

During a news conference, Friday Detroit Police Chief James White described the boy's death as "a tragic case," and said it was something no one should see.

After an unidentified person contacted Child Protective Services on Friday, three police officers interviewed France at the scene. According to White, "It was determined that the 3-year-old had passed away in the basement of his home and unfortunately he was found in a freezer. This case shocked me, it shocked our investigators, but the discovery would not have been possible without the officers' intuition."

It is unclear how long Chase was in the freezer.

"When they spoke to the occupant of the house, they recognized that there was something not right about the conversation and the way this occupant was communicating with them," White said, alleging that France was acting strangely and responding in a way as if he intended for the officers to leave as quickly as possible."

But "the officers' intuition and experience helped them know something was wrong," White added.

Subsequently, the boy's body was discovered. White said the officers are receiving psychological support after making the tragic discovery. France's other children were taken to the hospital for evaluation and are in the custody of Child Protective Services, according to police Capt. Kimberly Blackwell also spoke at Friday's press conference.

"The police department offers many resources for parents and those in need, so don't feel alone," Blackwell said, adding that the Detroit Police Department offers "victim counseling, chapels, and peer support."

A GoFundMe page has been set up by the boy’s grandmother, Toni to help pay for Chase's funeral expenses and help support his siblings. At the time of this report, $4,200 had been donated.