Mother Charged in Death of Newborn Baby

A former area college student has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with the death of her newborn baby.

In the indictment, 20-year-old, Emile Weaver, a Muskingum University sophomore, also faces one count of abuse of a corpse, and two counts of tampering with evidence. Muskingum County Prosecutor, Mike Haddox said if convicted of murder, Weaver could face life imprisonment without parole.

“The abuse of a corpse is a felony of the fifth degree, it would have maximum sentence of of one year, the two counts of tampering with evidence are both felonies of the third degree, they carry maximum sentences of three years on each count,” Haddox said. “This indictment comes after a long and arduous investigation by Sheriff Matt Lutz.”

On April 22, the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office said they were contacted by Muskingum University Police requesting assistance with a report of a newborn baby found dead on campus. The Muskingum County Coroner ruled that the baby was alive at birth and authorities found it in a tightly closed plastic bag in a trash receptacle. The coroner later ruled the cause of death as asphyxiation.

“She was arrested last evening, in her hometown, which is in Monroe County, and was given a rule-four hearing, in her county and then transported to the Muskingum County Jail,” Haddox said.

Weaver is currently being held in the Muskingum County Jail on a $1 million dollar bond. She is scheduled to be arraigned next Wednesday at 11 a.m., in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court.