Mother of baby found in trash released from jail, talks to reporters


1 photo
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Bail was reduced Monday for a woman accused of giving birth in her parents' house and putting her newborn baby in a trash can two days later.

Alicia Englert, 23, who is charged with attempted murder, a first-degree felony, made a brief appearance before 3rd District Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills. Englert wore a yellow jail jumpsuit and glasses with her hands cuffed behind her back.

Both prosecutors and Englert's defense attorney agreed that her bail could be reduced from $500,000 to $25,000, but only if she follows certain conditions.

Among the stipulated conditions for release, Englert is not allowed to have contact with her parents unless she needs a ride to court. If that happens, she is not allowed to talk to them about the case, according to the stipulation.

When asked why, defense attorney Zach Weyher replied, "I can't answer that." Englert's parents were both present at Monday's hearing but declined to speak to the media. Englert will live with her brother, the judge ordered.

Englert posted the $25,000 bond and left the Salt Lake County Jail about 8 p.m. Monday. As she exited the jail, Englert told reporters she was sorry for what happened.

"I think I have a disability and I shouldn't have done it," she said.

When asked about the possible disability, Englert replied, "I'm not sure. We're trying to get that figured that out."

Englert also told reporters, "I didn't know I was pregnant."

Englert's parents had previously made statements that their daughter has "special needs," "doesn't process things correctly," didn't know she was pregnant, and didn't understand what she was doing.

Both sides also agreed on a person to conduct a psychological evaluation. All other court hearings, including a preliminary hearing scheduled to begin last week, were put on hold until that is completed.

Englert was also ordered to have no contact with children and to have no contact with a man who was named in court. When asked after the hearing whether that man is suspected of being the father of Englert's baby, Weyher said he didn't know.

Defense attorney Josie Brumfield later added that the man is a friend, but didn't know how close he and Englert are. She said as of Monday, there was still no confirmation as to the identity of the father of the baby.

Englert also said as she left the jail that she "probably" knows who the baby's father is and that he is aware of what happened, but she has been ordered not to contact him.

As for not being able to talk to her parents or co-workers, Brumfield said the state is just being cautious that Englert doesn't talk to potential witnesses.

In court, Salt Lake County deputy district attorney Jared Parrish told the judge that the state is OK with the bail reduction because Englert does not present a general risk to the public — "as long as she doesn't get pregnant again."

He added that her alleged actions of putting a newborn in a trash can were not likely to be repeated. When the judge asked Englert if she understood the conditions of her release, she replied, "I do understand."

The baby was originally taken to Pioneer Valley Hospital where doctors determined she suffered from "hypothermia, severe respiratory distress, a bleeding disorder caused by critical illness, a blood-borne infection, and cardiovascular insufficiency requiring mechanical ventilation," according to court records. The newborn was then transferred to Primary Children's Hospital.

The child was placed in state custody. A spokeswoman with the Division of Child and Family Services said last month that the agency was not allowed to comment on the baby's current situation, stating only that "our hope is the child improves and is able to quickly be living in a safe, permanent home."

Contributing: Devon Dolan

Photos

Related stories

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah
Pat Reavy

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast