Woman admits putting newborn in toilet, letting her die in plastic bag

Woman admits putting newborn in toilet, letting her die in plastic bag

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. —A woman pleaded guilty and was sentenced for killing her newborn baby girl.

Joanie Faith Holcombe was charged with murder and unauthorized removal of a dead body, investigators said.

Holcombe gave birth to a baby girl in her trailer in Anderson County in December 2015 when she was 23, Solicitor David Wagner said.

Holcombe delivered the baby on her own and put the baby in the toilet, Wagner said.

When the baby cried, Holcombe put her in a trash bag causing the infant to suffocate, Wagner said.

Holcombe buried the baby in the woods. She had to rebury her after dogs dug up the body, according to Wagner.

Wagner said a passerby found the decomposed body and contacted law enforcement.

The solicitor said Holcombe confessed to the child’s death.

An autopsy confirmed asphyxia was the baby’s cause of death and her body had canine teeth marks.

Judge Lawton McIntosh sentenced Holcombe to 50 years in prison.

The judge said homicide by child abuse is not a parole eligible offense so Holcombe will serve the entire sentence.

“What makes this case even more tragic is that Ms. Holcombe could have avoided any prosecution and prevented the senseless death of a newborn by taking advantage of South Carolina’s Safe Haven Law,” Wagner said.

Under the Safe Haven Law, a person who abandons a newborn cannot be prosecuted for abandonment if they take the unharmed baby to a safe haven such as a police station, fire station, hospital or church during hours of operation up to 60 days after birth.