Woman Charged with Killing Newborn

(Louisville, Kentucky) A 19-year-old student at Bellarmine University, Kathryn E. "Katie" McCoy, has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence in the death of her newborn daughter.

McCoy said she hid the pregnancy from everyone and "freaked" when the infant was delivered.

Prosecutors said McCoy gave birth to a baby girl in the bathroom of her dorm room on Oct. 26, 2007, then let the infant fall into the toilet.

Police arrested McCoy after the baby was found in a gym bag.

McCoy was in court Wednesday morning with her parents, but did not speak during a brief hearing to set the trial date.

Brian Butler, one of McCoy's attorneys, said after the hearing that an initial review of the evidence doesn't back a murder charge. McCoy told police she put the baby in a trash bag because she thought the girl was dead, according to court documents.

"There's nothing to indicate anyone ever heard the child cry," Butler said. "No one saw this child alive." [ ... ]

Authorities said someone saw McCoy go near the trash room, became suspicious, checked the room and called police. The baby was pronounced dead about 35 minutes after the infant was found, police said.

Officers said that when McCoy heard officers were coming to the dormitory, she retrieved the baby from the trash room, placed her into a gym bag and then put the bag in her dorm room.

McCoy's trial is scheduled for September 23.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy