Thursday, October 18, 2012

An El Dorado mother who filed a motion to dismiss her murder case withdrew it at the last minute Thursday. 18 month-old Jayla Haag died last March of what prosecutors call severe child abuse injuries.

Alyssa Haag, the baby's mother, was charged with first degree murder after police suspected the baby died as a result of abuse. A few weeks later, Haag's boyfriend, Justin Edwrads, was also arrested and charged with murder.

The cliffhanger in the case has been an incomplete autopsy report on the girl. The unfinished report led to charges being dismissed against Edwards last month, which is likely why Haag had filed her own motion to dismiss. The state will likely refile murder charges against Edwards in the future.

Butler County Attorney Darrin Devinney says the completion of the report is likely why Haag changed course. Her attorney told Judge David Ricke that the parties had entered into plea negotiations, but Devinney said there had been no formal talks.

The result of Thursday's hearing was to schedule yet another hearing. The trial date of October 29 was scrapped. Instead, Judge Ricke scheduled a new date of December 3, but it won't be a trial setting. Devinney said that will likely be when Haag enters a formal plea.