(Atlantic, Iowa) – A judge in the case of a former Massena daycare provider who appealed her conviction of Second-degree Murder and Child Endangerment, has granted a continuance in the trial. According to online court records, Judge Richard H. Davidson granted the request by attorney’s for 42-year-old Alison Elaine Dorsey, on Monday. It’s the 3^rd time this year the trial was delayed.

The third trial for Dorsey was originally set to begin on Oct. 28^th in Cass County District Court. This latest continuance means it won’t be held now until February 28, 2026. The pre-trial conference takes place February 18^th.

Last January, the Iowa Supreme Court granted Dorsey a new trial after she appealed a conviction handed-down in her second trial that was held in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa Supreme Court in its decision, affirmed the Court of Appeals ruling that the evidence against Dorsey was sufficicent enough for a conviction, but the high court ruled the venue was improperly changed to Pottawattamie County.

Dorsey was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury in Pottawattamie County District Court in June 2023. The conviction stemmed from the death of a child under her care in Massena. Dorsey’s legal team contended that the venue change from Cass County to Pottawattamie County was inappropriate, that she was unjustly denied the opportunity to present additional character witnesses, and that the court erroneously denied her motion for a new trial.

Dorsey’s initial trial in Cass County resulted in a hung jury, which in-turn prompted her second trial.