Teenager who gave birth in secret and allegedly caused baby’s death is released
An 18-year-old Clovis woman is out of jail after being arrested last week on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter when her baby was found dead in a trash can, police said Monday.
Angelena Hamilton was released from jail because no charges have been filed in the case, Clovis police Sgt. Jim Koch said Monday. But it’s only a matter of time, police said.
Clovis police issued a statementon Twitter:
The Clovis Police Dept is aware of the release of Angelena Hamilton. We anticipate charges will be filed in the future pending the results of the autopsy & the completion of potential witness statements. However, there is not a set date for the completion of this investigation.
— Clovis Police (@ClovisPolice_CA) January 29, 2018
Just after 8 a.m. last Wednesday, police were called to the area of Minnewawa and Alluvial avenues because the caller said there was something bloody in a residential trash container and blood on the driveway.
Officers found a dead newborn girl in the trash, talked to the family and concluded that their 18-year-old daughter gave birth to a child at home. The family didn’t know she was pregnant or had given birth, police said.
Hamilton, a college student, was not home when police arrived. She was found on campus by officers and taken to a hospital to be medically cleared.
“It’s devastating to realize a newborn baby’s life was lost and that she made the decision that she did,” Police Chief Matthew Basgall said last week. “Nobody wants to see this happen. It’s sad when this occurs when there are so many options out there.”
We anticipate charges will be filed in the future pending the results of the autopsy and the completion of potential witness statements.
Clovis Police Department
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s family is “devastated” and is cooperating with police, he said.
The father of the child moved out of state several months ago, police said, and investigators believe he was unaware she was pregnant.
Police believe Hamilton gave birth outside of the home between midnight and 6 a.m., he said. They believe the baby was born alive, but the cause of death will be determined by the coroner.
Hamilton has no criminal record.
“She made a very bad choice,” Basgall said.
She told detectives she gave birth to the baby on Wednesday but didn’t obtain medical attention for herself or the child. She was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment.
Lewis Griswold: 559-441-6104, @fb_LewGriswold
This story was originally published January 29, 2018 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Teenager who gave birth in secret and allegedly caused baby’s death is released."