BENTON, Ill. (AP) -- Three defendants allegedly involved in a child abduction case have entered not guilty pleas to that related charges. Shannon Wilfong, Diane Dobbs and Robert Sandefur entered the pleas Thursday in Franklin County Circuit Court. Wilfong is charged with abduction for hiding her son from his father and authorities for almost two years. Dobbs and Sandefur are accused of aiding and abetting the alleged crime. A judge has set a Nov. 23 hearing on the custody of 7-year-old Ricky Chekevdia. Between now and then, Judge Kyle Vantrease has said he expects the father to have some visitation with the boy, who is in state custody, and for the child to have counseling. None of the defendants had attorneys present during the hearing, but assured the judge they would have counsel by their next court appearances on Feb. 18. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
