'Progress' in plea deal for Ceres mom accused of murder

MODESTO -- A Ceres mother accused of murder in her 2-year-old son's drowning will return to Stanislaus County Superior Court next week.

Attorneys have been negotiating a possible plea deal for several months for Florcita Valdez, 36.

Friday morning, defense attorney Stephen Foley told Judge Linda McFadden that he and prosecutor Marlisa Ferreira are making "significant progress" in their discussions.

McFadden ordered Valdez to return to court Nov. 17. If attorneys are unable to reach an agreement, she will move ahead with a trial date set in December.

Valdez's son, Aureliano Joel Valdez, was found dead in the family's pool on Larson Lane in Ceres minutes after his mother reported the boy missing July 18, 2010.

The defendant remained in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail.

She appeared in court Friday in a red jail jumpsuit and agreed when McFadden asked if she was willing to delay the hearing.