Iowan to plead guilty to baby's death in Florida

8:39 AM

Posted: Thursday, November 13, 2008

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) -- Florida prosecutors say an Iowa woman charged with killing her newborn at a hotel will plead guilty to a lesser charge.

Nineteen-year-old Ashley Truitt, of Solon, is accused of killing her daughter while vacationing with her family in Pompano Beach, Fla. Police say she threw her daughter down a trash chute after giving birth in a bathroom at June 2.

Truitt was originally charged with first-degree murder. Her trial was scheduled for Dec. 8.

Florida prosecutor Gregg Rossman says Truitt will plead guilty to a lesser homicide charge on Dec. 18. Rossman wouldn't specify which charge.

A judge will then decide her sentence.

Truitt has been held at the Broward County jail since her arrest.

Story Comments

meg wrote on Nov 15, 2008 5:48 AM:

" she should be punished as much as possible. the life of a child is precious. there are other options such as adoption. there are women out there who cant have their own children who would be more then happy to take that child with open hearts and arms. "

n wrote on Nov 13, 2008 11:06 AM:

" She should be forced to be 'fixed' so she can never give birth again.
It is so sad that someone could do such a thing. "

Leah Cauthron wrote on Nov 13, 2008 9:38 AM:

" Well, heck let her go. If she had only started a little earlier it would have been legal. Why prosecute her for what you all think is ok anyway? Maybe she is just a chronic procrastinator. "