Teen mother charged with manslaughter in baby’s slaying in Northern Liberties
District Attorney Larry Krasner said additional information is being sought in an ongoing investigation into the crime.
A 17-year-old girl who police said stabbed her newborn daughter in Northern Liberties has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and related crimes, authorities said Tuesday.
District Attorney Larry Krasner said the girl — whom he did not identify — also faced charges of tampering with physical evidence and related crimes in connection with the baby’s slaying on Saturday.
The girl repeatedly stabbed the infant with a pair of scissors not long after giving birth in her family’s apartment that day, according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing case.
The child suffered at least six puncture wounds, the source said.
In announcing the charges, Krasner said his office is working with police to uncover more information on the girl’s mental state before and after the killing.
“What is clear now,” he said, “is that this heartbreaking incident constitutes criminal homicide.” If the investigation justifies a change in the charges, “they will be modified in the future,” he said.
Research has shown that mothers who kill their children often suffer from mental illness. Krasner said any of the girl’s medical or psychiatric needs would be addressed.
“The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office remains committed to individual justice, including individual justice for women and girls of every age,” he said.
