Trial of Navy wife in child’s death delayed

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. – The murder trial for a Navy wife accused of fatally neglecting her 18-month-old daughter has been postponed.

Richeal M. Rhoades’ trial was delayed from Feb. 5 to July 17 to give Kitsap County prosecutors more time to prepare, Deputy Prosecutor Cami Lewis said.

Rhoades was charged in December with second-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Brenda, whose body was found stuffed in a garbage bag with some dirty diapers.

According to court documents, Rhoades told investigators she became deeply depressed after moving to Navy housing in Bremerton last August with her two young children.