PULASKI, Va. (AP) — A Virginia woman whose 5-year-old son was found dead in a septic tank was charged Wednesday with felony murder.

Ashley White faces the charge in connection with the March death of Noah Terry Thomas, said Pulaski County Sheriff Jim Davis. White appeared before a magistrate Wednesday and is being held without bond, according to records from the New River Valley Regional Jail. Neither Davis nor the records revealed any details.

Cynthia Dodge, the Pulaski County public defender, declined to comment.

White and the child's father, Paul Thomas, already were facing two felony child abuse and neglect charges. One count is related to Noah, the other to the couple's infant daughter, Abigail.

Thomas and White are accused of leaving the children home alone on March 22. White initially told authorities that she left Noah watching cartoons while she took a nap with Abigail. Pulaski County Commonwealth's Attorney Mike Fleenor later said in court that the couple told investigators they left their children at home while White drove Thomas to his job.

Kelsey Bulger, the assistant public defender representing White, said at a bond hearing in April that the evidence only shows her client "left two children at home by themselves — not that she intentionally harmed them or killed her child."

Noah's disappearance prompted a nationwide search involving local and federal authorities. He was found in a septic tank on his parents' rental property March 26.

Authorities have not said how they believe Noah wound up in the septic tank, and the medical examiner has not released the cause of the child's death.

Paul Thomas also is being held without bond. No new charges have been filed against him.