SAN FRANCISCO—The mentally ill woman seen dropping her young children into San Francisco Bay pleaded not guilty Friday to three counts of murder.

Lashuan Harris, wearing a red jail sweatshirt and pants, kept her head down and held her public defender’s hand through most of the brief court hearing.

She quietly answered “yes” when the San Francisco Superior Court judge asked if she was willing to waive her right to a speedy preliminary hearing.

Harris, 23, faces three counts of murder with special circumstances, making her eligible for the death penalty.

Her lawyer, Teresa Caffese, refused to address questions about Harris’ mental state, saying only her client was under suicide watch. She’s being held without bail.

“It’s very, very difficult,” Caffese said. “This can’t be captured in words right now.”

Authorities said Harris, a former nurse’s assistant who suffered from mental illness, was seen putting her children in the bay Wednesday.

The body of Harris’ middle child, Taronta Greeley, 2, was recovered late Wednesday near the St. Francis Yacht Club, about two miles from Pier 7. The other two boys - Treyshun Harris, 6 and Joshoa Greeley, 16 months - remained missing, but were presumed dead after so many hours in water with a swift current and temperatures in the low 50s.

The U.S. Coast Guard called off its search Thursday afternoon, but the San Francisco police and fire departments continue to scour the bay for the two bodies.

Harris’ next court hearing was scheduled Oct. 28.