NORFOLK, Va. — The woman who's accused of killing her mother at a Norfolk senior living facility with the help of her son was denied bond on Friday.
Heather Cummings, a 53-year-old from Indiana, and her son, Cliffton Cummings, a 24-year-old from Norfolk, are both charged with second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection to the death of 81-year-old Cleo Ann Loizides. Loizides was Heather Cummings' mother and Cliffton Cummings' grandmother, according to court documents reviewed by News 3.
Watch: Norfolk woman's daughter held her down while grandson strangled her to death: Court docs
Heather Cummings appeared in person for her bond hearing on Friday. She was in a wheelchair, and her attorney said she has health issues like Crohn's disease and arthritis.
Cumming's attorney said her client grew up in Hampton Roads and she has no prior criminal record. She also stated her husband lives in Indiana. Judge Michael Beverly denied bond for Heather Cummings saying, "She is a flight risk."
Cliffton Cummings did not appear in court. His attorney said they waived his bond hearing and are asking for a sanity and competence evaluation.
Loizides was found unresponsive at Commonwealth Senior Living on June 30 and was pronounced dead on July 1.
Heather and Cliffton Cummings were charged on July 9 after they both gave confessions regarding the role they played in Loizides' death, police say. Initially, police said her death was undetermined, but a medical examiner ruled on July 9 that it was a homicide.
Watch: Norfolk homicide raises questions about elder abuse
Court documents reviewed by News 3 claim Cliffton Cummings admitted to strangling his grandmother with a strap from a bag. Heather Cummings confessed to helping by holding Loizides down by her hands and encouraging her to "just let go, it's for the best," as her son strangled her, court documents say.
The two planned to travel by car from Indiana to Virginia to the murder, court documents reveal.
Both Heather Cummings and Cliffton Cummings are expected back in court for a preliminary hearing on September 23. They both remain in custody.
