FORT WORTH, Texas — Warning: This story contains graphic details some may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
A 17-year-old Fort Worth girl was sentenced to 15 years in jail on Friday for a murder charge in connection with the death of her newborn baby, according to Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Phil Sorrells.
According to Sorrells, the teen delivered a baby girl on Sept. 9, 2021, in the bathroom of her family's home. Paramedics were called, and the girl and her baby were taken to the hospital. By then, the baby had a skull fracture and was hemorrhaging, Sorrells said in a release. The baby lived about six hours before being declared dead., officials say.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner determined the baby's cause of death was homicide from blunt force injuries to the head. The juvenile mother was charged with capital murder of a person under 10 years old. The teen's name was not disclosed because she is a minor, the DA's Office said.
"Six hours," Assistant District Attorney Kyle Morris said. "Six hours is how long [the newborn] suffered before she succumbed to the injuries inflicted by her own mother when the Respondent beat her to death."
A review of the teen's cell phone revealed chat messages between her and the baby's father, stating neither of them wanted the baby, officials said. According to the release from the DA, they discussed how to get rid of the baby, such as taking abortion pills or punching the teen mother in the stomach. The girl said she could wrap the baby “in a towel and hit it,” according to the DA's statement.
The teen admitted she killed her baby and asked a jury to determine her sentence, Sorrells said. She has since had another baby that was taken from her by Child Protective Services, officials say.
The teen's attorneys alleged in a statement that the girl was encouraged by the baby's father to miscarry, have an abortion, or get rid of the baby
“This is a truly tragic case," attorney Lisa Herrick said. “This girl is not a hardened criminal. She was a naive 15- year-old girl who made a mistake, got pregnant, and thought her deeply religious parents would disown her. She hid her pregnancy, had the baby in the bathroom of her parent's home, and then panicked. She has taken responsibility for her conduct and is deeply remorseful.”
"It is extremely unfair and unjust that this girl was charged with capital murder and that the baby's father got off scot-free," attorney Frank Adler added. "But for his coercion, this tragedy may not have ever happened."
The Tarrant County DA said they sought to certify the teen as an adult, but the judge denied the State's request and kept the teen in the juvenile court system.
The teen will be sent to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Prior to her 19th birthday, the judge will determine whether she should go to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to serve the remainder of her sentence, officials say.
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