COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP, WLTX) - The father of a missing South Carolina toddler says he wanted to play more of a role in his son's life but the boy's mother wouldn't let him.
Roderick Mitchell testified Wednesday that Zinah Jennings moved out of their apartment after the boy was born in June 2010 and wouldn't let him spent much time with Amir.
Mitchell said he was surprised when Zinah Jennings let him spend a day with their son last November.
Jurors also heard from a friend of Jennings who said the defendant had complained about the stress of motherhood.
"She thought about throwing him out of the car and continuing on the highway," said Chistina Dickerson. "I said to her at that point, it can be overwhelming. That is just not something you think about. She told me sometimes it can be more than overwhelming from there she actually said sometimes I think about giving him away."
The boy was 18 months old when he was last seen around Thanksgiving.
Zinah Jennings is charged with illegal conduct toward a child for not telling police where her son is. She is due to give birth to a second child in several weeks. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.