OCALA, Fla. – A 26-year-old Florida woman faces a charge of aggravated manslaughter months after the body of her newborn girl was found in a trash can at a motel in Ocala.
Jodi Alexander was booked into jail Monday and is being held on $100,000 bond. Her next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6.
Recommended Videos
Marion County Sheriff's Office Detective John Lightle said deputies went to the motel March 8 after Alexander's friend found the baby's body.
An autopsy revealed that the baby was born alive but bled to death because of a torn umbilical cord.
Lightle said Alexander gave birth to Chance Alexander-Palmer at the Vacation Host Inn, placed her facedown in the trash can and covered the baby's body in towels in an attempt to conceal her death.
Alexander told deputies in March that she didn't want to be charged with murder and that the baby was born dead, Lightle said. Alexander later told investigators that she tried to call 911 for help but couldn't make the call after giving birth.
Lightle said Alexander also failed to notify anyone after giving birth.
A medical examiner determined that the baby had alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug, and hydromorphone, a painkiller, in her system at the time of her death.
Alexander has been in jail on unrelated drug charges since the death, but she now faces a new charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child.