NEWBURYPORT, Mass. -- A Hamilton, Mass., woman was arraigned Tuesday on charges she murdered her own mother.

NewsCenter 5's David Boeri reported that Kim Blackhall was charged with killing her 82-year-old mother, Ruby, in their School Street home.

Blackhall, 44, an unemployed social worker with a history of mental illness, was charged with murder in Ipswich District Court and ordered held without bail.

According to prosecutors, Blackhall admitted beating her mother and leaving her overnight Sunday. The body was found Monday morning.

"The defendant ultimately admitted to having kicked, hit and stomped her mother. She said she then went out for a ride," prosecutor Maura Bailey said.

Blackhall allegedly told police there was growing tension between the two women. Police said they often reported to emergency calls from Ruby Blackhall about her daughter.

"I don’t know if it was inevitable, but it was coming to a peak of some sort," said neighbor Lynn Shedden.

Police found the elder Blackhall's body in the home showing signs of rigormortis. Several items, including a television set, food, a wallet and money were found scattered about the house.

Shedden said Kim Blackhall became a different person when she did not take her medications.

"Erratic behavior, foul language, just a whole other person," she said.

Blackhall will undergo 20 days of psychiatric evaluation.