CROWN POINT — A woman accused of smothering her 1-year-old foster child was granted a new trial date as attorneys continue to review evidence in the case.
The request to reschedule a Feb. 5 trial for Jamilia S. Hodge was made at a court hearing Monday by her defense attorney, T. Edward Page.
Page told Judge Diane Boswell that he was waiting on evidence from the state related to the death of Emma Salinas, a foster child who died May 5 at Hodge's home in the 7500 block of Ash Avenue in Gary.
A coroner determined Emma died as a result of suffocation, complicated by blunt force trauma to the head, court documents state.
Hodge, the girl's 32-year-old foster mother, allegedly admitted to police she smothered the child, documents state.
Page said it was possible the case ended in a non-trial disposition.
Boswell scheduled a new trial for May 7. A pretrial conference is scheduled for April 2.
Hodge is charged in Lake Criminal Court with murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death and three counts of felony battery.
