An 18-year-old cheerleader was arrested after her child’s remains were found buried in the backyard of her home as authorities reveal the baby was alive at birth.
Brooke Skylar Richardson was charged with reckless homicide on Friday after evidence revealed the child ‘was not a stillborn baby’, Warren County prosecutor David Fornshell said.
The infant’s remains were discovered last week in the backyard of Richardson’s home in Carlisle, Ohio, according to theDayton Daily News.
Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandi Carter wrote in the complaint that ‘on or about May 7, 2017’ Richardson ‘did recklessly cause the death of another, or the unlawful termination of another’s pregnancy’.
Authorities determined the infant died more than two months ago and only found the child’s remains because of a tip from a doctor’s office.
Before Friday’s court appearance, Richardson’s attorney Charles Rittgers had already entered a not guilty plea on her behalf.
Rittgers praised Richardson for being a good student who just graduated high school and is planning to go to college at the University of Cincinnati.
‘She didn’t drink. She wasn’t a partier or a smoker. By all measures a very good girl who helped children… She’s by all means a very good person,’ Rittgers told the Dayton Daily News.
Rittgers also said Richardson helped children with disabilities at a cheer camp and worked at the YMCA with kids.
The infant’s remains were discovered last week in the backyard of Richardson’s home in Carlisle, Ohio. Authorities are seen carrying a bucket of evidence from the home’s backyard
Officials are still waiting for the final report from the coroner regarding the death of the baby. On Thursday, investigators revisited the home (pictured) where the baby’s remains were found to get more soil samples and additional evidence
Officials are still waiting for the final report from the coroner regarding the death of the baby.
On Thursday, investigators revisited the home where the baby’s remains were found to get more soil samples and additional evidence.
Richardson was booked into the Warren County Jail, where she was released on $15,000 bond.
She faces one to five years in prison, if convicted.