Student Arrested for Killing Newborn

(Erie, Pennsylvania) An 18-year-old student at Mercyhurst College, Teri Rhodes, was arrested and charged with homicide for allegedly killing her newborn girl.

Erie police said a Mercyhurst College student accused of killing her newborn researched abortion methods on her computer before she gave birth.

Teri Rhodes, 18, hid the pregnancy from friends and teammates, told a doctor two days before the birth that she didn't think she was pregnant and did Internet research on topics including "what can kill a fetus," police said.

After giving birth in her campus apartment Aug. 12, Ms. Rhodes put the newborn in a plastic bag and left it on the floor of a bathtub as she showered, according to the criminal complaint.

She was charged yesterday with homicide, abusing a corpse and concealing the death of a child. Her attorney, Philip Friedman, declined to comment.

The coroner ruled the death a homicide by suffocation. The child was alive for about 10 minutes before being snuffed. Police found the infant's body in a plastic bag on the bathroom floor of Rhodes' apartment.

Since Rhodes researched methods to kill prior to committing the act, any defense citing lapse in judgment or confused ignorance won't play at a jury trial. Expect a plea deal to be accepted.

Rhodes was booked and released on $25,000 bond.

Tip: slwlion