A Utah mother accused of throwing her newborn baby into a trash can has been charged with a first-degree felony.
Alicia Marie Englert, 23, was charged with attempted murder Friday afternoon. Her neighbor saw the infant in a trash can Aug. 26.
The baby girl was taken to a hospital in critical condition. She suffers from hypothermia and respiratory distress, Salt Lake County Attorney Sim Gill said.
Englert confessed to the crime and said she wanted the baby to die. "The defendant admitted to detectives that she wanted the baby's death to occur because 'I don't want it,'" charging documents stated, reports KSL.com.
The documents stated that Englert did not provide care to the baby from the time of birth. She was charged with attempted homicide, a first-degree felony which carries a three-years-to life prison term.
The identity of the baby's father has not been revealed.
The baby's condition is now improved. "It's certainly a testament to how resilient these babies can be," Gill said, reports the Miami Herald. "It's quite remarkable that the baby is doing well and is improving steadily."
According to Good4Utah.com, prosecutors said the baby was born in the bathroom of Englert's parents' house. Next day she wrapped the baby and hid her on the floor and allegedly left for work without feeding the baby. Tuesday morning she put the baby in the trash can.
Englert's parents said she has mental health problems.
"It is not relevant (mental capacity), it's not listed in probable cause, and is not relevant to us at this point as to the charges," said Gill.
Englert is detained in Salt Lake metro jail.
