Photos prompt new questions in case of baby found in trash can

Photos prompt new questions in case of baby found in trash can

(KSL TV)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Club photos are prompting new questions about the woman who police say dumped her newborn daughter in a trash can near her home.

Alicia Englert, 23, is accused of disposing of her two-day old daughter in a trash can near her home in Kearns. The baby was found Tuesday after residents heard a sound like a cat coming from the trash can. Residents, including Englert's father, Robert Englert, helped remove the infant from the trash can.

The baby girl was likely born around midnight Sunday, and was found around 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Photos from the website of a local club surfaced Thursday. KSL showed the photos to Unified police detectives, and Lt. Justin Hoyal said they believe the woman in the photos is Englert.

The photos allegedly show Englert out with a friend on two different occasions in the past month. One of the photos — which is dated about nine days before Englert gave birth — shows Englert holding a beer.

Hoyal said it's too early to say the part these photos play, but they are now part of the investigation.


It's another piece of that pie that helps us put that case together. We're going to evaluate to see what the evidence is, if it helps in the case (or) if it doesn't help in the case.

–Lt. Justin Hoyal, UPD


"It's another piece of that pie that helps us put that case together," Hoyal said. "We're going to evaluate to see what the evidence is, if it helps in the case (or) if it doesn't help in the case."

The infant suffered minor hypothermia, did not receive any medical treatment or proper nutrition, and was in critical condition Wednesday, according to Unified police. Police said that the baby will be considered in critical condition Thursday and throughout the weekend.

Robert Englert would not speak to the media on Thursday, but in past interviews he said his daughter has "special needs" and wouldn't understand charges filed against her, and jail time wouldn't mean anything to her.

"She doesn't process things correctly," he said.

Tammy Englert, Alicia Englert's mother, said the woman didn't "understand what's going on at all. ...She didn't realize it was that bad what she had done."

Unified police detective Jared Richardson would not say whether the woman exhibited any indication of handicaps, and police require a professional diagnosis to take place before using that information in the investigation. The defendant must consent to an examination.

Alicia Englert was never officially diagnosed with any learning disability, but she participated in special education courses at Kearns High School. She reads at a third-grade level and can't write, her parents said. The woman graduated from high school and got a job with the help of the school's vocational rehabilitation counselors.

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Englert's cousins spoke to the media on Thursday, and they said they're not rushing to judge their cousin.

"That's not for any of us to decide," said cousin Vania Schmidt. "You know, we don't know what she was thinking, what she was feeling."

They are hoping to raise money and take donations of blankets, food and clothing for the baby, who they are calling Hope.

"This little girl has got spirit, she's still going. That's all that matters," said cousin Lisa Hansen. "She was intended to be here. She's here."

The fundraiser will take place on both Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in West View Park at 4100 S. 6000 West. A candlelight vigil will take place during the last hour of the fundraiser on Sunday.

Donations* can also be made through a Wells Fargo account under the name "Starving for a Miracle."

Contributing: Celeste Tholen Rosenlof

*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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