A pre-trial conference is set to take place today for an Atlantic woman facing multiple charges associated with a scheme to get money by making her 5-year old daughter appear to have cancer. The conference for 30-year old Leatha Kaye Slauson will be held at the Cass County Courthouse.

A pretrial conference may be conducted for several reasons: (1) expedite disposition of the case, (2) help the court establish managerial control over the case, (3) discourage wasteful pretrial activities, (4) improve the quality of the trial with thorough preparation, and (5) facilitate a settlement of the case.

Slauson had claimed her 5-year-old daughter Riley was dying from colorectal cancer. Thousand dollars were raised for treatments that were never rendered and the family’s trip to Disney World.

The woman has plead Not Guilty to 20 counts, including one count of drug distribution to a person under 18, two counts of child endangerment causing bodily injury, two counts of administering harmful substances, two counts of assault while committing a felony, two counts of domestic abuse and 10 counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs, and one count of Theft in the 1st degree. The alleged offenses date back to September 2013.

Earlier this month, Slauson’s lawyer indicated he would file a motion for “Diminished Responsibility” on behalf of Slauson, whom he says is competent to stand trial, but unable to tell right from wrong.

Slauson’s trial is set to begin November 12th, in Atlantic. She remains in the Cass County Jail on $35,000 bond.