Willis Waives Preliminary Hearing In Infant Abandonment Case

The woman accused of leaving her 15-month-old baby in the desert to die late last year was in court Wednesday, making a move to go directly to trial on child abuse charges.

A 26-year-old woman accused of abandoning her 15-month-old child in a Torrance County field while she stargazed naked was in court Wednesday, making a move to go directly to trial on child abuse charges.

In September 2007, Dianna Willis told police she left her son, Richie Willis-Brown, in a Torrance County field. Willis told police she had pulled her car over to the side of the road to stargaze naked and lost track of the child.

Police later found the boy dead from hypothermia.

Willis is charged with child abuse resulting in death. In June she was found competent to continue court proceedings.

In court Wednesday, Willis waived her right to a preliminary hearing, moving the case directly to trial.

Willis' attorney said she just couldn't stand a rehash of the allegations.

" It brings up a lot of difficult memories for my client," defense attorney Ray Twohig said. "We realize those will come up at trial. This is a hard case for her, a hard case for anyone who lost a child in this way."

Willis is released to the custody of a third party.

"She's been under those conditions for several months, there've been no problems with her," said district attorney Clint Wellborn. "She's been taking her medication and obeying all the rules that were set out by the judge under that condition."

Wellborn said a trial is not likely until late January or February of next year.

If convicted, she would face a maximum sentence of 18 years in prison.