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Abduction Trial Of Missing Baby's Dad Postponed

LUDINGTON (WWJ/AP) - The trial of a western Michigan father in the disappearance of his baby daughter has been postponed indefinitely.

Twenty-one-year-old Sean Phillips is jailed on $250,000 bond and was scheduled to go on trial Jan. 17 in Mason County Circuit Court in Ludington. The charges are unlawful imprisonment and parental kidnapping.

The Muskegon Chronicle reports county Prosecutor Paul Spaniola announced the postponement Thursday. No new trial date has been set.

Katherine was 4-months-old when she last was seen June 29 with Phillips. Katherine lived with her mother, 19-year-old Ariel Courtland, at an apartment in Ludington, about 80 miles northwest of Grand Rapids.

Katherine Phillips
Katherine Phillips (Courtesy: Ludington Police Department)

Courtland said her daughter was in the car when Phillips drove off from her apartment. The baby was not with Phillips when he was arrested at his parent's house, a short time after an Amber Alert was issued for Katherine.

Extensive searches still haven't turned up the girl, although police have located the clothing she was last seen wearing.

Anyone with information about what happened to this child  is asked to contact Mason-Oceana 911 at (231) 869-5858. Those wishing to provide information anonymously can call Silent Observer at (888) 786-7274.  Anonymous information can also be provided at www.lsotip.com or by texting "LSOTIP" and your tip to 274637.

TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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