Accused murderer Kimberly Noyes, in leg irons and her head covered in a jacket, was led into a Nelson, B.C., courtroom Thursday. (CBC)

The woman charged with second-degree murder in the death of 12-year-old John David Fulton made a brief court appearance Thursday in Nelson, B.C.

Kimberly Ruth Noyes, 42, was formally charged Wednesday with killing Fulton, who was autistic and whose body was found in her Grand Forks, B.C., townhouse Aug. 17.

Two days earlier, the boy had been reported suddenly missing from the front yard of his own home, two doors away from where his body was found.

Noyes — her legs in chains and a coat pulled over her head — was led into the Nelson courthouse by two sheriffs.

Noyes will be taken to a remand centre in Surrey that handles women prisoners, according to her lawyer, Ken Wyllie.

Wyllie described her mental state as "frail" and said he could not comment on whether he believed she should undergo a psychiatric assessment.

A former co-worker of Noyes told CBC News on Wednesday that the accused woman had undergone hospital treatment in the past for bipolar disorder.

Noyes next scheduled court appearance is Sept. 2.