The case of attempted murder against a now-19-year-old Jacksonville woman accused of abandoning her newborn baby in a dumpster will carry on into 2016.
The woman, who was 17 when she was arrested in September 2014, about a week after the baby was found in the dumpster on Lafayette Avenue, appeared in Morgan County Court on Christmas Eve.
The case has been continued several times since the last significant action, which came in July when Judge Jeffery Tobin denied the teen’s attorney, Anne Clough’s request to suppress evidence, specifically, statements she made to police.
Jacksonville Police Detective Scott Erthal testified the girl admitted to placing the baby in the dumpster, knowing it was alive, and then walking away.
Clough said she’s focused on getting the case resolved and is taking steps to prepare, whichever direction matters move. The teen apparently still wants to take the case to trial. A pre-trial date was continued to February 4th.
Clough also asked Judge Tobin on Thursday to consider allowing the girl to be released from her home detention, which she has been ordered to continue serving since initially being arrested in 2014.
Morgan County Assistant State’s Attorney Chad Turner said he “strongly objected” to the idea, and pointed out that the state has never asked for a continuance in this matter. Tobin set a status hearing for January 21st and suggested the idea be considered at that time.