Charges Considered in Death of Baby Girl

Investigators are deciding whether to seek criminal charges against a Palmdale woman who gave birth to a girl later found dead in a plastic bag, authorities said.

Stefanie Towels, 19, said she gave birth between 5 and 6 a.m. Thursday, but kept the birthsecret until doctors questioned her after she was hospitalized for abdominal pain and weakness later in the day, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Mead said.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine how and when the baby died. Towels, who was released from Palmdale Hospital Medical Center Friday, had told authorities that she did not know she was pregnant.

According to Mead, Towels told doctors and investigators that the child was stillborn in the room she rents in the 500 block of East Avenue Q-12. She put the body in a plastic bag and covered it with a towel on the floor, Mead said.

Towels’ boyfriend, whose name was not released, visited her about 7:30 p.m. and noticed she was sick. He told her to visit a doctor, but she refused, and did not tell him that she had given birth earlier in the day. It was unclear if he was the father of the child.

Two hours later, the owner of the house, whose name was not released, called an ambulance for Towels. Doctors at the hospital discovered that Towels had given birth earlier in the day and asked her where the baby was. Towels initially denied giving birth, but then told doctors what happened, Mead said.

Paramedics returned to Towels’ room and found the baby.