LIVINGSTON PARISH — A 14-year-old girl is facing a first-degree murder charge following the death of her newborn baby in Denham Springs, according to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called to Our Lady of the Lake in Walker on Friday, Nov. 21, after medical staff reported the teen had sought treatment and disclosed that she had recently given birth at her residence. Deputies then responded to the home in Denham Springs as part of the investigation.
Sheriff Jason Ard said the teen delivered the baby and placed the infant in a tote in an apparent attempt to conceal the birth. When emergency responders located the tote, they found the baby deceased with extensive injuries to the neck.
Initially, the teen was charged with failure to seek assistance and obstruction of justice in connection with the death of her newborn daughter.
Following an autopsy conducted over the weekend, the manner of death was confirmed as homicide. Medical personnel believe the infant was carried to full term, born alive and killed shortly after birth. Authorities also believe the teen concealed her pregnancy from her family.
The juvenile is currently being held at the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center and now faces an additional charge of first-degree murder.
“This has been a difficult case for all first responders involved,” Ard said in a statement. “Please keep them and the family in your thoughts as this very sensitive investigation continues.”
Due to the nature of the case, no further details will be released at this time, the sheriff’s office said.
