Wayne County Woman Threw Newborn Baby In Garbage Can: Prosecutors

HIGHLAND, MI — A Highland woman has been accused by Wayne County prosecutors of assaulting her newborn infant and throwing the child into a garbage can.

Jennifer Kayla Woodard, 23, is charged with assault with intent to murder, child abandonment and second-degree child abuse, prosecutors said. She was arraigned Tuesday before 36th District Court Magistrate Malaik Ramsey-Heath.

According to prosecutors, Detroit Police were called after a newborn infant was dropped off at a hospital without parents. An investigation led to Woodard's arrest, prosecutors said.

Woodard gave birth at a friend's house and then threw the child into a garbage can, prosecutors said. The friend found the newborn child and drove her to the local hospital for treatment, prosecutors said. When the child arrived at the hospital she was cold to the touch and lost a large amount of blood due to the umbilical cord not being clamped off, requiring a blood transfusion, prosecutors said.

Woodard will appear in court again Sept. 22 for a probable cause conference. Bail was set at $50,000, prosecutors said.