The preliminary hearing for two Penn State students who were charged with harassment for allegedly joking that they were responsible for Cindy Song's disappearance begins today. The Internet messages said that they were holding Song, who has been missing since November.

Edmund F. Shirreffs, 20, and John M. Zaharoff, 19, used Song's name as part of their user name on an America Online instant messaging account, according to the criminal complaint. One message sent in April allegedly included the phrase, "I have her.'' In another message they allegedly claimed responsibility for Song's disappearance.

Two female Penn State students who received the messages notified police. University and Ferguson Township police said Zaharoff admitted he registered the AOL user name and helped Shirreffs send the messages.