OCALA, Fla. -- A lawsuit between relatives of a missing boy's mother who killed herself after aggressive questioning by CNN's Nancy Grace and the talk-show host will be tried in federal court, a judge ruled on Monday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary R. Jones ruled that federal court would handle the suit because the involved parties are from different jurisdictions, according to court documents.

The lawsuit claims that Grace caused severe emotional distress that led to Melinda Duckett's suicide in 2006.

Grace grilled Duckett on her show about the disappearance of Duckett's 2-year-old son, Trenton Duckett. Melinda Duckett fatally shot herself before the network aired the pre-taped interview.

The lawsuit, which was filed in November 2006, names Grace and CNN as defendants. On Monday, Jones also dismissed Trenton Duckett's father, Joshua Duckett, as a defendant in the suit.

Authorities, who have said they believe Trenton is still alive, have named Melinda Duckett as the prime suspect in his disappearance.

Attorneys involved in the case did not return phone messages left at their offices on Tuesday evening.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.