A woman is facing an attempted murder charge after her newborn was found in a motel toilet by Town of Newburgh officers.
Orange County prosecutors say Teresa Smith left the baby to die at a motel in the Town of Newburgh last month. Cleaning staff saw blood in a room after check-out and called police. Police say the baby was cold and not responsive, but they were able to revive him.
"They wrapped the child up with the beddings and whatever they had on hand. EMS was already en route there, so we made that transition very quickly to get the child to the hospital for medical treatment," said Newburgh Police Lt. James Nenni.
Smith entered a not guilty plea Friday. Bail was set at $100,000 cash or $300,000 bond.
Smith also faces charges for child abandonment, assault, reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child.
"The grand jury chose to indict the defendant on attempted murder and various other charges relating to leaving the baby and abandoning the baby in the toilet bowl. Obviously a newborn with no clothes and in water suffered the risk of hypothermia, drowning, infection (bacterial as well as viral), and numerous other possibilities," said District Attorney David Hoovler.
Smith has been held in Orange County Jail since her arrest. Her next appearance is scheduled for January 15.