NASHUA - The mother of an eight-month-old boy who died from his mother's painkillers was released on personal recognizance Thursday after pleading not guilty to manslaughter charges.

Kristine Davis of 1 Burns Hill Road, Apt. 11, in Hudson was using fentanyl patches at the time of her son Izik's overdose last year.

Prosecutors accuse Davis, 42, of recklessly causing the boy's death by placing a fentanyl patch on his body. Davis pleaded not guilty at the bail hearing, saying it was an accident.

Davis' public defendant Sarah Newhall said Davis no longer uses fentanyl patches, an opioid far more powerful than morphine that is also abused as a recreational drug.

But Hillsborough County prosecutor Patricia LaFrance cited several incidents in which she said Davis disregarded her son's health due to her own addiction.

In 2007 Davis stole approximately $500,000 in jewelry from the grandparents of her older children, LaFrance said, leading to convictions for burglary and theft. She also said Davis had told a doctor that due to a back condition she had, she fed the baby Pedialyte because she did not want him to gain weight.

LaFrance said the medical examiner who could testify at Davis' trial believes the fentanyl patch was placed purposefully on the baby. LaFrance said Davis did this because her son was born with the drug in his system and was trying to soothe him.

The prosecutor called for $100,000 cash bail, arguing Davis was unfit to care for her children.

Citing 18 months of good behavior, Superior Court Judge Jacalyn Colburn set bail at $100,000 personal recognizance pending trial, a sum Davis would have to pay if she violates bail. The bail terms prohibit Davis from possessing weapons and consuming drugs or alcohol.

Davis, who was living at 3 Tiger Road in Hudson at the time of the incident, lives with her 15-year old son Tyler and her one-week old daughter Shyla.

Manslaughter is regarded as a special felony, and Davis could face 15 to 30 years if convicted.

Court documents show Davis she receives $864 a month in alimony.

srios@newstote.com