When Mothers Kill: 'Good Girl' Cheerleader Who Buried Infant in Backyard Facing 5 Years in Prison

An 18-year-old in Ohio is facing reckless homicide charges after allegedly burying her infant child in her family's backyard recently.

When authorities first discovered the infant's remains in Brooke Skylar Richardson's backyard, it was believed that the child was stillborn at the time of birth. However, an autopsy report on Thursday revealed that the baby was actually born alive before it had been buried, leading to Richardson' arrest.

During arraignment on Friday, the cheerleader, whom a defense attorney described as a college-bound "good girl," was charged based on evidence that the baby was "born alive and was not a stillborn baby." A criminal complaint against Richardson said she "did recklessly cause the death of another or the unlawful termination of another's pregnancy."

Court reports said the baby, whose remains were first discovered on July 14 in a neighborhood about 40 miles away from Cincinnati, had been buried for about 10 to 12 weeks. Authorities said the baby most likely died on May 7.

Police were led to Richardson's home where they discovered the infant's remains following a tip from a doctor's office, according to the Dayton Daily News.

In a statement posted on Facebook Friday, Prosecutor David Fornshell said law enforcement would "continue to treat this as an active and ongoing investigation.

According to Richardson's lawyer Charles Rittgers, the teen, who had just recently graduated from high school, was planning to go to University of Cincinnati in the fall. Rittgers also noted that Richardson was very involved in her community, having helped children with disabilities during cheer camp and worked with kids at the local YMCA.

"She didn't drink. She wasn't a partier or a smoker. By all measures a very good girl who helped children," Rittgers told local media following Friday's arraignment. "She's, by all means, a very good person."

Richardson, who entered a not guilty plea, remained free after posting a $15,000 bond and is expected back in court on August 1.

Charges against the former cheerleader come just a month after another teen mom in West Virginia was charged with the death of her baby.

In June, 18-year-old Julie Elizabeth Porreca was charged with child neglect resulting in injury or death after her 7-month old baby died from pneumonia, according to the Dominion Post. The child had reportedly developed a fever, and instead of seeking medical attention, Porreca claimed she gave the toddler fever medication. However, an autopsy report later found that the child had adult antidepressant in its system.