Megan McDonald, left, flanked by her attorneys, made her initial appearance in court Friday at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta. McDonald is charged with knowing or intentional murder in the death of a 14-year-old boy at her home in Sidney a week ago. Emily Duggan/Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA — A Sidney woman charged with the murder of a 14-year-old-boy a week ago made her first court appearance Friday at the Capital Judicial Center.

Megan McDonald, 39, was charged with murder Dec. 20 after police found the boy’s body outside her Summerhaven Road home in Sidney.

McDonald appeared in court shackled and dressed in a green jail jumpsuit and flanked by her attorneys. She did not enter a plea at the hearing.

“With respect to the criminal complaint brought against you by the state, which charges you with knowing or intentional murder in the alleged offense that took place on or about Dec. 19, 2024, are you familiar with these charges?” Superior Court Justice Daniel Mitchell asked.

“Yes, your honor,” McDonald said.

Mitchell ordered McDonald to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 3. In the meantime she remains in custody, held without bail. McDonald is being represented by criminal defense attorneys Scott Hess and Lisa Whittier.

Assistant Attorney General Lisa Bogue requested a Harnish hearing, when prosecutors seek to have the judge hold the defendant without bail due to the severity of the crime. If granted, a Harnish hearing must be held within five days of the state’s request, unless there is an exception granted by the judge. The state can request a Harnish hearing at any time.

Megan McDonald Courtesy of Kennebec County jail

The court records in the case have been impounded, including the criminal complaint, and are not open for public review.

Several television news outlets have referred to the homicide victim as McDonald’s son, but the state has yet to confirm the victim’s identity.

McDonald was arrested Dec. 20 after she showed up at the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office in Auburn shortly before 5:30 a.m. and said she wanted to report a murder.

The property at 2005 Summerhaven Road in Sidney, seen Thursday, where Maine State Police and local officers Dec. 20 found the body of a 14-year-old boy in the driveway. Megan McDonald, 39, who owns the home, was arrested and charged with murder in the boy’s death. McDonald made her first court appearance Friday and was ordered by Superior Court Justice Daniel Mitchell to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

When Kennebec County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home, they found the body of a 14-year-old boy outside. The Maine State Police detectives and evidence response team technicians spent much of the day at the beige, single-story house, where a U.S. Marine Corps flag could be seen hanging from the corner of the building.

It is not known why McDonald traveled from her home north of Augusta to Auburn to report the crime.

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner performed the autopsy Dec. 20 and determined the cause of death to be a combination of asphyxiation, manual strangulation and sharp force injury. The manner of death has been ruled homicide.

McDonald served in the U.S. Marine Corps from June 23, 2003, to Aug. 10, 2010, and was discharged with the rank of lance corporal, according to information provided Monday by Maj. Melissa Spencer, director of COMMSTRAT for the Manpower and Reserve Affairs division at the Marines’ headquarters.

McDonald has recently worked as a nurse, both in practice and as a part-time lecturer in the University of Maine System.

The Maine Board of Nursing database shows an active registered nurse license for Megan Kathleen McDonald of Sidney, expiring in March 2026. Her name does not appear in any disciplinary actions maintained by the board.