Missing Pa. baby case delayed
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UPPER DARBY – A preliminary hearing for a York man accused of kidnapping a baby who disappeared near Philadelphia was delayed Monday for three weeks.
The York Dispatch reported that a lawyer for Ummad Rushdi, 30, was granted the continuance in district court in Upper Darby. Police said last week they had run out of places to search for the boy, Hamza Ali, who is feared dead.
The newspaper said Rushdi appeared in court, staring ahead without expression and dressed in jail garb.
He remains jailed on $750,000 bail, facing kidnapping and other charges.
Court records say Rushdi’s brother Jawwad told investigators that Rushdi admitted shaking Hamza to death and then burying him somewhere.
Delaware County prosecutor Stephanie Wills told the newspaper that authorities are evaluating the case against Rushdi and additional charges may be filed.
The paper said Rushdi’s lawyer at the hearing, Elizabeth McDonald, was not available for comment after the brief proceeding.
The new preliminary hearing date is Sept. 9.