An 18-year-old girl from Franklin, Ohio is accused of burying an infant alive in the backyard of her family’s home. She pleaded not guilty to reckless homicide last week.
The woman was identified as Brooke Skylar Richardson. She was charged with reckless homicide because evidence reportedly showed that the baby was born alive and was not a stillborn baby. Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell told CBS News that according to a criminal complaint, the baby died on May 7 and the remains were found more than a month later on July 14. The cause of death of the baby remains unknown and the final report from the county coroner’s office is still pending.
Discovery of remains result of a second search
According to Journal-News, the arrest of Richardson came after authorities searched the area for the second time. The second search was for authorities to take more soil samples and other evidence around the pit where the baby was buried. Authorities searched the home of Richardson after they received a tip from a doctor who said that there might have been a stillborn baby born in the area.
Richardson was booked into the Warren County Jail but was released after paying the $15,000 bond imposed. Her preliminary hearing was set on August 1. If proven guilty, Richardson could face one to five years behind bars.
Investigators have to prove baby was alive for suspect to be convicted
Authorities declined to reveal the gender of the baby and who the baby’s father is. Dayton Daily News said that the only way for Richardson to be convicted is if it is prove that the baby was alive when the bay was buried. Forensic experts are most likely to be part of the investigation to determine whether or not the baby was alive.
Suspect just graduated from high school
Richardson just graduated from Carlisle High School and was planning to attend the University of Cincinnati this fall. Her attorney said that his client is a very good person because she does not drink, party, or smoke and helped disabled children at a cheer camp. Richardson is a former cheerleader in her school.
In the wake of this incident, authorities reminded women who cannot support their newborn about the state’s safe haven law. The parents could give up the infant within 30 days from when he or she was born. They could leave the newborn with a medical worker at a hospital, at a fire department, or other emergency service organizations. Parents who leave the infants at the aforementioned places will not be charged unless the baby was abused.
