Alicia Keir, 24, of DeMotte, Indiana, pleaded guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of her newborn on a cruise ship in October 2011.

Keir, then 20, boarded the Caribbean cruise ship with a friend and that friend’s family. She knew she was pregnant, but did not tell anyone else that was with her on the cruise. She gave birth on the ship by herself in her stateroom.

The baby, a girl, was born alive. Keir told U.S. District Judge Rudy Lozano that she wrapped the full-term newborn in a towel and hid her under a bed, staying with her for a minute.

“She did not move,” Keir said, her voice trembling. “She did not make a sound. I should have gotten help.”

A cleaning crew found the newborn dead the next day after the ship arrived at the port of St. Maarten. A doctor there determined the infant died from exposure and lack of care.

Keir will be sentenced Aug. 20. She could face up to eight years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. As part of her plea agreement, the state and defense can argue for what each believes to be an appropriate sentence.

Source: The Munster Times