BENTON - The three defendants in a highly publicized child abduction case entered pleas of not guilty to charges against them in Franklin County court Thursday.

Shannon Wilfong, Diane Dobbs and Robert Sandefur entered the pleas during arraignments in front of Circuit Judge Melissa Drew.

Wilfong is accused of hiding her son, Richard Chekevdia, 7, from his father and authorities for almost two years, while Dobbs and Sandefur are accused of aiding and abetting the alleged crime.

The child, who disappeared in November 2007, was recovered by police with a search warrant in September. He was found in a crawl-space-like room at the residence of Dobbs, his grandmother.

Wilfong, 30, pleaded not guilty to two counts of child abduction and one count of endangering the health/life of a child.

Dobbs, 51, and Sandefur, 51, pleaded not guilty to two counts each of aiding and abetting as well as two counts each of harassing a witness.

Wilfong and Dobbs said previously "the system" failed to protect the child from his "abusive" father, a charge Ricky's father, Michael Chekevdia, vehemently denies. Wilfong's allegations against him were investigated by state child welfare workers and reportedly found baseless.

In the meantime, Richard Chekevdia remains in state custody undergoing counseling that will help facilitate a reunion with his father. A decision on whether to grant Wilfong, who is free on bond, visitation will be made by Franklin County Judge Kyle Vantrease.

None of the defendants had attorneys present during Thursday's hearing, but they assured the judge they would have counsel by Feb. 18, the date of their next court appearances.

They declined comment after the hearing.

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