Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Prosecutors say the South Carolina boy missing since last fall is the crux of a case against his mother.

Zinah Jennings' trial on a charge of neglect began Tuesday in Columbia. Prosecutor Dolly Justice Garfield told jurors in an opening statement that Jennings' young son, Amir, is innocent and still missing.

Authorities have charged the young mother with neglect for giving them conflicting, false information about the whereabouts of her son. Amir was 18 months old when he was last seen around Thanksgiving.

The boy's mother is pregnant and is due to give birth to a second child in several weeks. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Jennings' attorney told jurors authorities cannot prove his client abandoned Amir.

------