Woman cops plea in baby death case

GOSHEN – The Deerpark woman who was initially charged with murder and manslaughter for killing her newborn baby Friday pled guilty in Orange County Court to a charge of manslaughter in the first degree.

As a result of the plea, Christine Maher, 39, will be sentenced to 10 years in state prison when sentenced in May, said District Attorney Frank Phillips.

“This plea was entered during the course of a pre-trial hearing to determine whether or not certain statements made by Maher to the police would ultimately be admissible at trial,” he said. “By entering this plea of guilty, Christine Maher has waived her right to appeal any of those issues and will be sentenced to a term of 10 years in prison.”

Maher was arrested on October 7, 2007 after police found the remains of a newborn baby in a truck used for storage on the property where she lived at 40 Echo Valley Road.

Authorities theorize the child was died sometime between September 11, 2007 and October 3, 2007. Because of the condition of the body, police could not determine the sex of the baby.

Phillips said based on the circumstances in the case, he is satisfied with the guilty verdict.