WESTLAND, Mich. – A 31-year-old woman in Westland has been charged with the murder of her newborn baby.
Police believe she gave birth at home, the baby later passed away and police do not think it was an accident.
Trisha Lempea was charged Thursday, Jan. 4, with felony murder, first-degree child abuse and concealing the death of an individual.
The investigation started Dec. 5, when Westland police responded to a hospital on report of an infant death. Police believe Lempea had given birth one week prior at her home, did nothing else and the infant died inside the home.
Police said no medical attention had been requested.
Neighbors on Banister Court were shocked to learn about the incident and said other children live at the home with the woman. How long the infant was alive was unclear, but a neighbor claimed to have heard cries from the home, but those cries stopped.
The investigation is ongoing.