Westland mother sentenced for murder in newborn’s death

WESTLAND, Mich. – A 32-year-old Wayne County woman will spend at least a decade behind bars for the death of her newborn baby.

The investigation began in December 2023, when Westland police responded to a hospital on a report of an infant death. Police believe Trisha 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.

In January 2024, Lempea was charged with felony murder, first-degree child abuse and concealing the death of an infant child. She was denied bond and remanded back to jail.

Lempea was sentenced Friday, March 21, to 10-20 years in prison for second-degree murder. The child abuse and concealing death charges were dropped.

She was given credit for 444 days of time already served.