CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A 36-year-old Bridgeport woman accused of abducting a pre-teen child from Genesis's Alta Vista Children's Shelter when she was working there has been found competent to stand trial.

Clarksburg defense attorney Tom Dyer on Thursday confirmed the finding of competency for Brittany Nicole Sterling. The development was revealed during a status hearing with Harrison Circuit Judge Joseph F. Shaffer Jr.

Shaffer then set a final pretrial conference at 10 a.m. Jan. 15, with the trial to start Jan. 20.

Dyer and Assistant Prosecutor Gina Renzelli have been discussing a plea deal, according to statements in court.

Sterling has been in jail in West Virginia since June, after she was picked up in Ohio, according to statements in court and jail records.

Sterling was indicted in J

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