Georgia – A Georgia woman, later identified as 41-year-old Karema, was ordered to serve 15 years behind bars and 15 years on probation after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including attempted murder and first-degree crueIty to children in connection with the 2019 incident which nearly claimed the life of her newborn child. Prosecutors said the woman, who was sentenced last week, reportedly placed her newborn baby in a pIastic bag before tying the bag and leaving it in remote are.
The woman then abandoned the child and left her to die. Luckily, the child was found by passerby, who saved the baby’s life after they heard her cry. First responders rushed the baby to the hospital with its umbiIical cord still attached. The child was in good health, police officials said.
The investigation process began in June 2019 after the child was found abandoned and left to die. Authorities in Georgia were able to determine the mother’s identity thought advanced DNA testing. Initially, they found the baby’s father, who didn’t even know about the baby. Then, they located the baby’s mom.
The defendant’s attorney argued that the 41-year-old, who is a mom to three small children, was suffering from psychosis and postpartum depression at the time of the incident. Authorities in Georgia claim the woman hid her pregnancy on purpose and left the newborn to ensure she would not be found.
Authorities believe the woman gave birth in her car, then drove around before making the decision to abandon the child in an area where she would not be found. The child, who is now 5 years old, is healthy and thriving, authorities said.
In Georgia, as in other states, the ‘Safe Haven’ law allows mothers to safely leave their newborns at designated locations—such as hospitals, fire stations, or police stations—without facing criminal charges, typically within a 30-day window.