The Maricopa mother accused of abusing and neglecting five of her seven adopted children entered a not guilty plea Friday in Pinal County Superior Court.

Machelle Hobson, 47, was wheeled into the courtroom in a wheelchair and clad in a burgundy Pinal County jumpsuit. She spoke only to mumble answers to a number of procedural questions from Superior Court Judge Delia R. Neal.

It was the first glimpse of Hobson since news of her arrest broke last week. She never appeared in any of the dozens of videos posted to a YouTube channel called “Fantastic Adventures.” Instead, the fantastical videos focused on many of her adopted children.

But, off screen, police say Hobson was beating, starving and pepper-spraying many of the children if their performances weren’t up to par. 

Hobson’s attorney, Richard Scherb, entered a not guilty plea on her behalf during the brief hearing.

Neal questioned Hobson’s responses about her income on a financial affidavit to determine whether she would be declared indigent and appointed a public defender. Hobson apparently wrote she was receiving no income, but her expenses totaled approximately $3,300 per month.

Hobson told the judge she previously made $10,000 to $30,000 from the YouTube account. She didn’t clarify if that was monthly or annually. That bank account has since been frozen, she added. The channel has since been removed.

“I don’t have any other income coming in,” Hobson said.

But Pinal County prosecutor Shawn Jensvold said a 2018 W-9 from Google indicated Hobson made just under $300,000 in 2018. Phone calls between Hobson and her father also indicated $100,000 was withdrawn from a joint account shared between Hobson and her adult biological sons, Ryan and Logan Hackney.

The sons were also arrested after Maricopa police said they failed to report their mother’s abusive behavior. They were released on their own recognizance last week.

MORE: How YouTubers like mom accused of abuse make money off popular videos

Hobson will be back on court May 11 for a pre-trial hearing. That hearing will also address whether Hobson should be appointed a public defender and if she should be pre-screened for a Rule 11 hearing – a proceeding to determine whether she’s competent to stand trial.

Hobson was arrested at her home earlier this month after multiple children told Maricopa police they were beat and pepper-sprayed as discipline. They also told authorities Hobson locked them in a bare room for hours without any food, water or bathroom visits.

Hobson is being held in a Pinal County jail in lieu of a $200,000 bond. A grand jury indicted her Monday on 30 counts of child abuse and kidnapping against five of her children.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety removed the seven children from Hobson’s custody after the welfare check. They’re now in foster or group homes. 

Hobson’s attorney had sought to bar camera coverage in court. Media organizations including The Arizona Republic objected on grounds of the public interest.

In a hearing held before Hobson’s arraignment, the judge approved camera coverage.

 

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