News

Actions

Jodi Alexander of Citrus County is accused of killing her newborn, putting her in motel trash

Posted at 3:01 PM, Aug 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-03 07:27:00-04

A Citrus County mother has been charged with manslaughter in the death of her newborn baby girl. 

Investigators say Jodi Alexander tried to hide her daughter's death by putting the baby in a trash can inside a motel and covering the baby with towels.

On March 8, Marion County Sheriff's deputies say friend called 911 after finding the dead baby girl lying face down in a trash can of Alexander’s hotel room at the Vacation Host Inn in Ocala.

Major Crimes Detective John Lightle took over the investigation and found that Alexander had given birth to baby Chance, placed her face down in the trash can and covered the baby’s body in towels in an attempt to conceal her death, a press release states.

The Medical Examiner found that baby Chance was born alive, deputies say.

The manner of death was ruled to be a homicide.

Deputies say when they questioned Alexander she made a spontaneous statement that she did not want to be charged with murder and that the baby was born dead.

In a post-Miranda interview at the Marion County Jail, the 26-year-old reportedly stated that she attempted to call 911 for assistance for her child but was unable to place the phone call after giving birth, a press release states.

Detective Lightle found that after the victim was delivered, Alexander failed to notify anyone about the birth, according to a press release.

The Medical Examiner also found that baby Chance had Alprazolam (a generic form of Xanax) and Hydromorphone (a prescription pain medication) in her system at the time of her death.

Alexander is being held without bond.