Judge won’t lower bond for mom of missing SC boy

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A judge has denied a request to lower the bond for the mother of a South Carolina boy missing since Thanksgiving.

Circuit Judge Casey Manning on Tuesday ordered that Zinah Jennings continue to be held in the Richland County jail on $150,000 bond.

Jennings has been in jail since late December, when police say they arrested her for lying about the whereabouts of her son, Amir. The boy was 18 months old when his grandmother reported him missing at Thanksgiving. Police say Jennings has fabricated multiple stories about where he is.

She’s charged with cruelty to children.

Her attorney said Tuesday he was shocked at the judge’s decision. Hemphill Pride II says his client would have a lower bond if authorities were not still looking for her son.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP