MONTREAL - A 35-year-old woman accused of killing her mother appeared in court Monday to face a charge of first-degree murder.

The accused, Nathalie Dion, had frequently begged authorities to help her get psychiatric treatment, a report says.

NTR is reporting that, according to information collected from police and ambulance sources, the accused was frequently hospitalized and arrested in the past for barricading herself, threatening police officers and trying to commit suicide.

The woman's mother, 69, died following a beating she received inside the family home. No weapons were used and there were no obvious signs of violence on the body.

Police learned of the woman's death after responding to a 911 call. This is the city's 28th murder of the year.

Dion will return to court on September 30. Her lawyer may ask for a psychiatric evaluation.