A teenage girl in Louisiana was sentenced to remain in juvenile custody until she turns 21 after she was charged with first-degree murder for the death of her newborn baby.
Judge Matthew Belser revealed the girl’s fate during a hearing on August 17, according to WAFB.
The sentence is the maximum juvenile sentence, and she will remain in custody until her 21st birthday. She is currently 15 years old.
Prosecutors previously attempted to try the teen as an adult for first-degree murder due to the severity of the offense. However, the transfer required a hearing due to her age, which was denied by the court.
Assistant District Attorney Kinchen-Gros presented evidence that the defendant – who has not been publicly named due to her age – delivered a full-term baby in her bedroom in 2025. She then killed the newborn and hid the baby’s body in a tote bag, which was discovered in her bedroom.
“This is an unusual and horribly sad case,” District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said, per WAFB. “I applaud ADA Gros and our team for their determination in bringing justice for this innocent victim.”
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office learned about the case on November 21, 2025, when a local hospital reported that a 14-year-old girl was seeking medical treatment after giving birth at her home in Denham Springs.
After they received the report, deputies responded to the home and learned that the teenager had delivered a baby and tried to conceal the body in the tote bag. Emergency responders found the newborn dead and noted that the baby had “extensive injuries to the neck,” according to People.
“Medical Personnel believe the infant was carried to full term, born alive and killed immediately after birth,” Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard said at the time of the girl’s arrest. “It is believed the teen did conceal her pregnancy from family.”
The defendant was initially charged with failure to seek assistance and obstruction of justice. After an autopsy on the infant was performed, it was determined that the manner of death was homicide and the girl was charged with first-degree murder charge.
It is not currently clear whether she had a motive in the killing, and details about the pregnancy have not been shared, including if the girl knew she was pregnant before she gave birth.
If you or someone you know is pregnant or just had a baby and is in crisis, help is available. Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline for free, confidential support 24/7 in English and Spanish at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
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