Ohio mother acquitted of killing newborn baby she buried in backyard

5 years ago
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A young Ohio mother who prosecutors said killed and buried her unwanted newborn in her backyard just days after her senior prom so that she could keep her "perfect life" was acquitted of murder Thursday.

Brooke Skylar Richardson, now 20, began shaking and sobbing while a judge read the not guilty verdicts on aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment charges.

She had faced up to life in prison if she had been convicted on the most serious charge.

Richardson, though, was found guilty of corpse abuse by the Warren County jury that deliberated for four hours. She'll be sentenced Friday. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to one year in prison, but as a first-time offender, she could get probation.

Richardson was walked out of the courtroom in handcuffs after Warren County Judge Donald Oda II revoked her bond. She and her mother exchanged tearful "I love you's'" as deputies led her away.

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