Hearing continued for accused Ceres mother

MODESTO -- A Ceres mother accused of murder in her 2-year-old son's drowning appeared briefly in court Friday morning, only to have her pretrial hearing continued until Nov. 27.

Florcita Valdez, 36, remains in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail. 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.

Her defense attorney and the prosecutor in the criminal case have told the judge they've discussed a possible plea deal, but it's unclear if the discussions continue.

Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Linda McFadden on Friday told the defendant her preliminary hearing remains scheduled for Dec. 18.