Sabrina Ray trial likely won't happen until 2018

LINH TA   | The Des Moines Register

The trial involving the abuse and death of Sabrina Ray will likely be delayed until 2018, according to court documents.

Misty Ray, 40, and her husband, Marc Ray, 41, took in Sabrina as a foster child in 2011 and adopted her in 2013. They are charged in her death and face multiple felonies after the malnourished 16-year-old was found unresponsive May 12 at home in Perry, according to Perry police.

The 16-year-old was dead when authorities arrived at the family's home, where the Rays ran the Rays of Sunshine Daycare.

An informal status conference will be held Oct. 13 where a trial date will be scheduled.

Because a large amount of evidence will be provided to the defense attorneys, the trial will likely be delayed until 2018. "Thousands of pages" will need to be sifted through, according to court documents.

Sabrina's three younger siblings will also serve as witnesses. Special protocols will need to be made and followed for their depositions.

On the day Sabrina Ray was found dead by authorities, Justin Ray, the couple's 21-year-old son, was home, while Marc and Misty Ray were on a trip to Disney World. He has been charged with two counts of child endangerment and two counts of willful injury, after "drop-kicking" Sabrina down a basement staircase sometime between April 15 and May 1, police said. Sabrina was not able to walk, talk, eat or drink normally after that, according to a criminal complaint. 

Sabrina's adoptive grandmother Carla Bousman, 62, of Perry was charged with first-degree kidnapping, child endangerment causing death and obstructing prosecution or defense for allegedly altering evidence at the crime scene and providing false evidence.

A niece, Josie Raye Bousman, 20, has been charged after she allegedly admitted she helped injure Sabrina,  helped keep her confined and denied her food and water, according to the complaint.