Lawyer says mom charged with baby's death 'in crisis'

Judge approves lawyer's request for psychiatric evaluation for Catalina Bruno

MIAMI ā€“ Catalina Bruno, the woman charged with the death of her 11-month-old son, was back in court Wednesday morning.

Bruno is accused of forgetting the child in her car after she came home from running errands.

Her attorney says Bruno suffered from post-partum depression and is trying to get her evaluated by a psychiatrist.

The last time he tried to get her evaluated, the motion failed. On Wednesday, however, the outcome was much different.

The attorney changed his request by making it clear that the psychiatrist was not there to help him build a competency case. He said that since his client has a history of depression after the birth of her baby boy, she may be suicidal.

"I believe that Miss Bruno is in crisis," her lawyer said. "I'd hate for something to happen to her while she was in jail -- to herself. So, we asked the judge if she could be given the opportunity to see a psychiatrist."

The judge agreed to the motion.

Bruno has two other children, ages 4 and 10.

Her attorney argued for visitation rights, saying that the Dept. of Children and Families will not allow them to visit their mother in jail.

The judge said she'll take up that matter at the next court date.