NEW YORK (AP) -- Prosecutors said a teenager suffocated her just-born baby before taking his body with her on a trip to Victoria's Secret in New York City.
Tiona Rodriguez, age 18, pleaded not guilty Thursday to a murder charge stemming from the shopping trip two years ago. Prosecutors said she was arrested on a shoplifting charge at the store, and her 8-pound newborn was found dead in a bag she was carrying. The shoplifting charge was later dropped.
Prosecutors said Rodriguez intended for weeks to kill the infant and sent a text message about plans to "dig a hole" and "put it somewhere."
Defense lawyer Earl Ward said Rodriguez's term of pregnancy was unclear. He said Rodriguez didn't know she was pregnant and she had a stillbirth. He said she acted out of confusion.
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