JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A trial date has been set for the mother of young murder suspect Christian Fernandez.
Bianella Susanna appeared before a judge Tuesday, and it was decided she will stand trial beginning February 27, 2012.
Susanna faces manslaughter and negligence charges related to the death of her 2-year-old son David.
Earlier this year, police say the toddler was beaten to death by his older brother Christian Fernandez.
Susanna is charged because she waited two days to call for help. Police say she spent those two days searching the internet for information about concusssions. Biannela is allowed to leave jail to go to the funeral for her 2-year-old son.
Prosecutors and the defense team for Cristian Fernandez met Monday to discuss details about a plea deal.
Prosecutors tell us they are optimistic it can be resolved, but nothing is finalized yet. They don't think they'll go to trial and they are not looking to put the 12 year old in jail for life. Meanwhile, the public defender says if a deal isn't reached by the end of the month, they will start preparing for trial.
"I hope they come to a reasonable plea deal," said Alicia Torres. Torres can't help but worry about Fernandez. She barely knows the little boy, but she knows one thing. "He needs to have the chance to prove himself and I think he'll be fine," said Torres.
Cristian is in jail, charged with the murder of his 2-year-old brother. Torres took her youngest son to visit him. Action News has learned prosecutors and the defense team met Monday to discuss the plea deal. They hope to keep Cristian from going to trial and serving a mandatory life sentence if convicted. State Attorney Angela Corey said earlier this month Cristian must be held accountable in the death of his brother.
Torres thinks there's now a motive behind this plea deal. "It's frustrating because I know it's all political," said Torres.
She wonders why he was even charged as an adult in the first place, especially since prosecutors know his history of abuse. She just hopes they can help this little boy turn his life around. "I think he needs to go to a good home, get rehabilitation and have the opportunity to go to college... I think he's the type of kid that will become one to use this as a positive thing and try to help other children," said Torres.
Fernandez is not due back in court until Oct. 31.
