OXNARD : Girl Gets Probation in Her Baby’s Death

A 15-year-old Oxnard girl who left her newborn baby to die in a hospital trash can was sentenced Friday in Ventura County Juvenile Court.

The unidentified girl was put on probation, which could last until her 21st birthday, depending on whether she violates the conditions of her sentence, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Saundra Brewer.

She must go to school and attend counseling and cannot associate with anyone who is not approved by her probation officer, Brewer said.

The girl, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter, must also do 100 hours of community work by March, 1992, Brewer said.

The girl went to St. John’s Medical Center on June 25, complaining of numbness in her leg. After emergency room staff took her pulse and blood pressure, the girl excused herself and went to the restroom, where she delivered the baby, police said.

She later told police she thought the baby was dead and put it in a plastic bag under another trash bag.

A hospital janitor found the dead newborn more than 24 hours later. County medical examiners ruled that the baby was born seven or eight months into the girl’s pregnancy and had breathed for a short time before dying of asphyxiation.

“She was very serious, very attentive in court, and listened intently to what the judge was saying,” Brewer said. “I don’t think we’ll see her in court again.”

If the girl violates any terms of her probation, the court can order her to 30 days custody in Juvenile Hall, Brewer said.

If she follows the terms of her probation, she could be off probation in a year or two, Brewer said.