New Hearing Scheduled For Uncle Accused of Killing Niece

A February hearing has been set in the case of a southern Illinois man accused of killing his niece.

The Effingham Daily News reports that the date was set during a Thursday hearing for 22-year-old Justin DeRyke in Effingham County Circuit Court. DeRyke is charged with the September death of 7-year-old Willow Long of Watson.

DeRyke's attorney said the defense is awaiting motions from prosecutors. Prosecutors say they're still waiting for DNA analysis from the Illinois State Police crime lab in Springfield.

The next hearing in the case will be Feb. 4.

DeRyke was ordered held on $5 million bond.