Murder Trial Now Set for Both Parents in Adopted Daughter Starvation Case in Dent County

(Salem) 44-year-old Susan Abney and 52-year-old Randall Abney of Dent County will have separate murder trials.

The Abneys are both facing the charges of second degree murder and abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death in relation to their daughter’s death.

Susan’s jury trial will be in Crawford County on a change of venue and it will begin March 7th of 2022.

Her plea hearing is scheduled for this December 14th.

Earlier this week, Randall Abney had his jury trial set for July 11th through 15th of next year at the courthouse in Salem.

His last chance to plea bargain will be April 22nd.

The Abneys are accused of killing their 10-year-old adopted daughter.

The Abney’s were arrested on October 3rd of 2020 at their rural home between Salem and Boss, after police found young Josie Ann Abney in an extreme starving condition.

She died the next day from severe cachexia and protein calorie malnutrition.

Josie weighed only 34-pounds.

The Abney’s adopted the girl in 2013.