NEED TO KNOW<\/p>\n
A teenage girl was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of her newborn in Philadelphia<\/p>\n
Prosecutors say the baby was killed shortly after birth at a home in the Northern Liberties neighborhood<\/p>\n
Additional charges include possessing an instrument of crime and tampering with evidence<\/p>\n
A teenage girl is facing criminal charges after prosecutors say she killed her newborn shortly after giving birth at home in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
The teen, who has not been publicly identified, was charged in connection with the death of her newborn on April 25 in the city\u2019s Northern Liberties neighborhood, according to a press release <\/a>from the Philadelphia District Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n Authorities allege the infant was killed inside the home shortly after birth. The baby was a girl and may have sustained puncture wounds, according to preliminary autopsy results cited by ABC 6<\/a> and NBC Philadelphia<\/a> \u2014 her cause of death is still pending.<\/p>\n The newborn’s mother is charged with voluntary manslaughter, as well as possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person and tampering with physical evidence, according to the release.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is clear now is that this heartbreaking incident constitutes criminal homicide and other criminal charges,\u201d Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said. \u201cMore clarity is needed on this teenage girl\u2019s mental state both before and shortly after childbirth, when the crimes occurred.\u201d<\/p>\n Prosecutors said they are awaiting additional expert and medical reports that could clarify key aspects of the case, including the circumstances surrounding the baby\u2019s death.<\/p>\n \u201cIf additional evidence indicates modification of these charges is just, they will be modified in the future, as always,\u201d Krasner added.<\/p>\n Officials said the investigation remains active, and that support services have been offered to those affected, including through the office\u2019s crisis response and victim services teams.<\/p>\n