Maria Gallardo, 52, testified by video conference Tuesday from the Bexar County Jail at a hearing in San Antonio on whether the three boys should be in custody of the state, the San Antonio Express-News reported. She denied the boys' allegations.

The two older boys, one 14 and the other 12, came to Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital on July 8. Both were wet and bedraggled, covered with insect bites from sleeping outdoors.

Medical workers said that the 14-year-old weighed only 65 pounds and was covered with bruises. He said that he and his brother decided to run away from home to avoid more beatings.

Their 11-year-old brother was removed from the home the same night.

Maria Gallardo and her husband, David, adopted the three boys when their mother surrendered her parental rights in 1999. David Gallardo testified that his wife insisted on the adoption, which he hadn't wanted.

When Gallardo was asked why his children had their own beds in the four bedroom house while his grandsons slept in the den, he said they were his "step-kids."