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Monday, September 25, 2023 | 
U.S. & World Utah

Lori Vallow Daybell’s preliminary hearing could be postponed until May. Here’s why

The hearing was scheduled to happen in March

By Herb Scribner Herb Scribnerhscribner@deseretnews.com
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Lori Vallow Daybell glances at the camera during her hearing in 2020 in Rexburg, Idaho.

Lori Vallow Daybell glances at the camera during her hearing on Friday, March 6, 2020, in Rexburg, Idaho. At her right is defense attorney Edwina Elcox. Daybell, who was charged with felony child abandonment after her two children went missing nearly six months ago, had her bond reduced to $1 million by an Idaho judge on Friday.

John Roark, the Idaho Post-Register via Associated Press

Lori Vallow Daybell’s upcoming preliminary hearing may be postponed until May, EastIdahoNews.com reports.

What’s going on

  • Daybell’s attorney, Mark Means, and Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood have requested to move the proceedings from March 18 and 19 to May 7 and 8. Means filed the paperwork this week, according to EastIdahoNews.com.
  • Means also filed paperwork requesting Judge Faren Eddins be removed from the case. There was no explanation given, EastIdahoNews.com reports.
  • Daybell remains in jail on $1 million bail facing changes of desertion and nonsupport.
  • Reasons for the delay could be that the state wants to gather more evidence and information, according to EastIdahoNews.com.

Why it matters now

The request comes on the same day that the FBI announced it would host a meeting in Salt Lake City between multiple police officials connected to the case, which I wrote about for the Deseret News.

The FBI, the Rexburg Police Department, and numerous law enforcement agencies investigating cases related to Lori Vallow and her missing children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, are meeting this week in Salt Lake City to coordinate, review, and share information. This is not a new effort. Similar coordination meetings have been routinely conducted since the beginning of these investigations. As sensitive matters may be discussed, and as the investigations remain active and ongoing, we are not providing any further information about the meetings.

Multiple reports suggested the FBI has begun investigating the death of Lori Vallow’s third husband, Joseph Ryan, who died in 2018, too.