Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The trial of a South Carolina mother charged in the case of her missing son will go forward.

Circuit Judge Knox McMahon on Tuesday rejected a request for a mistrial filed by Zinah Jennings' attorney.

Jennings is charged with illegal neglect of a child regarding her missing son.

She gave birth to a baby girl last week. McMahon said he would take more frequent breaks to give Jennings time to rest and recuperate from childbirth.

Amir Jennings was 18 months old when he was last seen around Thanksgiving. His mother has refused to tell police where he is but said she left him somewhere safe.

A high school friend testified last week that Jennings told her she was stressed by parenting and considered selling or giving away the boy.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)