Cindy Ann Sherry Ali was initially charged a year after police responded to a 911 call in February 2011 at her home.
They found her daughter — 16-year-old girl Cynara Amiee Ali who suffered from cerebral palsy — without vital signs. She was taken to hospital and died two days later.
Sitting in the prisoner's box in College Park court Wednesday, Ali, wearing an unzipped wool winter coat, thick, black glasses and dark pants, stared straight ahead, only responding when the Justice of the Peace Rhonda Roffey asked her name.
The judge then issued a publication ban on evidence presented in this case.
Moments later, it was determined Ali would be transferred to 361 University Ave. court, where it is expected she will be released later this afternoon.
Her husband, Allan Ali, is adamantly defending her innocence.
"Whatever comes out in the media is a one-sided argument," he said. "Let's not forget that in the past there has been cases where mothers have been convicted and they've had to rescind all these charges. I believe my wife is innocent."
Initially, police were told there was a home invasion. It is alleged Ali made up an elaborate story about two masked men who burst into her Malvern townhouse, one man leading her room to room looking for a package while the other stayed with her daughter.
The woman said that by the time the bandits left, her daughter had stopped breathing.
Ali was charged with manslaughter, criminal negligence causing death and two counts of fabricating evidence in March. The manslaughter charge was upgraded to first-degree murder, police announced Wednesday.
