Adoptive mom's murder case goes to appeals court

Raleigh, N.C. — The North Carolina Court of Appeals on Wednesday heard the case of a Johnston County woman convicted of killing her adopted son.

Lynn Paddock was convicted in June 2008 of first-degree murder and felony child abuse in the Feb. 26, 2006, death of Sean Paddock.

Authorities said Sean was bound so tightly in blankets that he suffocated. Defense attorneys maintain that the boy's death was accidental and that Paddock's actions were a form of discipline, not abuse.

Paddock's attorney challenged evidence that her other children were abused.