Alexis Shields, 15, of Mescalero, accused of suffocating her foster mother, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday during an initial appearance before Judge William Brogan in District Court in Alamogordo. Desiree Linares, 15, of Roswell, also accused, waived the formal reading of charges against her and did not make an appearance inside the courtroom.

Evelyn Miranda, 53, was found dead June 8 inside her San Patricio home. A 2007 gray Honda Odyssey registered in her name was missing when Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene. The vehicle was recovered later that day in Roswell.

Shields and Linares were arrested June 9 in Carlsbad. They have been charged with nine counts each, including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, kidnapping, motor vehicle theft, larceny and tampering with evidence.

Shields and Linares were arraigned June 10 in an appearance before Judge Karen Parsons in District Court in Carrizozo.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Shields placed Miranda in a chokehold while Linares bound the victim’s hands and feet with an electrical cord. Shields then placed a pillow over Miranda’s face and held it down until the victim stopped breathing, according to the affidavit.

Shields and Linares are currently being held at the Chaves County Juvenile Detention Center in Roswell.

Miranda had allowed Linares and Shields to stay in her home through a treatment foster care program operated out of Mesilla Valley Hospital in Las Cruces.