WESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The Lewis County mother accused of killing her 3-year-old daughter has made her first appearance in court.
Media outlets report 34-year-old Lena Lunsford waived the time limit for her preliminary hearing in Lewis County court on Thursday. Lunsford's preliminary hearing has now been rescheduled for Wednesday.
According to a criminal complaint, witnesses saw Lena Lunsford bludgeoning her daughter, Aliayah Lunsford, with a "handheld object" in September 2011. Witnesses said Aliayah fell to the ground from the head injury and died hours later.
The complaint says Lena Lunsford then withheld medical attention from the child and prevented others from summoning help. She then allegedly took steps to conceal the crime.
The child's body hasn't been recovered.
Lunsford's attorney, Barbara Harmon-Schamberger, declined to comment.