Mother pleads innocent to killing sons

? The mother who authorities say tossed her three small sons to their deaths in frigid San Francisco Bay pleaded not guilty Friday to murder and assault charges with a special circumstance of multiple homicide that could make her eligible for the death penalty.

Lashaun Harris, 23, of Oakland, shuffled into San Francisco Superior Court, held her hand to her face throughout the proceeding and uttered only a drawling “yes” when asked if she agreed to waive her right to a speedy trial.

San Francisco Public Defender Chief Atty. Teresa Caffese later confirmed that Harris is on suicide watch in a security cell and under medical treatment for her mental condition. She declined to elaborate on the young mother’s state of mind.

“It’s too much of a tragedy right now to capture in words,” said Caffese, who will return to court Friday to request bail.

San Francisco’s Dist. Atty., meanwhile, also acknowledged the tragedy – which has captured attention across the globe – but said the focus belongs on the little boys, ages 6, 2 and 16 months.

“This is a case involving three innocent children who lost their lives – not because of any natural accident but because they were killed,” District Attorney Kamala Harris said. “The victims here are the three children.”

Family members of Lashaun Harris say she is a diagnosed schizophrenic who had not been taking her medication recently. She said Wednesday morning that she would feed the children “to the sharks” but relatives did not believe she would harm the kids, on whom she doted.

According to officials, Harris brought the children to the end of the picturesque Pier 7 near San Francisco’s Ferry Building at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, stripped off their clothes and tossed them into the churning waters.

A witness dialed 911 and by the time police and fire officials responded four minutes later, Harris was pushing an empty stroller toward land.

The body of Taronta Greely Jr., 2, known by family members as “T.J.,” washed up on a small beach late Wednesday. The other boys – Treyshaun Harris, 6, and Joshoa Greeley, 16 months – remain missing. An intense recovery effort continued Friday involving the U.S. Coast Guard, San Francisco police and fire, port officials and sheriff’s officials from three counties.