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Woman Charged with Manslaughter After Dumping Newborn in Trash Can

OCALA – Major Crimes Detectives with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department arrested and charged 26-year-old Jodi Leann Alexander with the death of her newborn baby following an investigation that took place over the last several months.

The investigation began earlier this year on March 8 when deputies were dispatched to the Vacation Host Inn on South Pine Avenue when one of Alexander’s friends found a baby deceased in a trash can in Alexander’s hotel room.

During the investigation, Major Crimes Detective John Lightle found that Alexander had given birth to a little girl and placed her face-first in the trash can covering her with towels in an attempt to conceal her death.

According to the Medical Examiner, the baby was born alive and died as a result of the umbilical cord being torn causing her to bleed to death.

During an interview between Alexander and Detective Lightle, Alexander stated that she attempted to call 911 for assistance but was unable to place the phone call after giving birth. Due to the manner of the death and since it seemed that Alexander did not notify anyone about the birth, Detective Lightle ruled it a homicide.

According to the autopsy report, the Medical Examiner also found traces of Alprazolam (a generic form of Xanax) and Hydromorphone (a prescription pain medication) in the baby’s system at the time of her death.

Alexander was arrested on March 8 for two unrelated warrants from Citrus County. She was held at the Citrus County Jail until August 1 when she was transferred back to Marion County where she was  charged with Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child.

Alexander is currently being held at the Marion County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

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