Student's Home Birth Was Stillborn; DA To Decide On Charges

Pittsburgh police said an autopsy showed that a premature infant was stillborn the night before its 16-year-old mother went to school the next day after hiding the birth.

Police are still conferring with the Allegheny County district attorney about whether the girl will face any criminal charges. She has not been identified and was not in custody Friday, though she remained hospitalized for observation.

Police spokesman Diane Richard said there's no evidence the girl tried to harm the baby when she gave birth at her Hill District home Wednesday night.

Richard said the girl told a friend at Brashear High School Thursday morning that she gave birth the night before, and the friend alerted authorities.

Police found the baby wrapped in towels in the drawer of a plastic storage bin at her home. The gestation of the child was about six months.

"In searching the area of the room, a baby was found," said Richard. "The baby was not term. Very small child. At this point, medics have pronounced the baby deceased."

Police are not identifying the girl, who was being treated at UPMC Magee Women's Hospital on Thursday.

Neighbor Ashley Yates is incredibly upset about the baby and said the teen is a good student and friend, and good with kids.

"Her sister just had a baby three months ago and she was helping her," said Yates.