Florida woman in labor smokes crack, leaves newborn in yard

A pregnant Florida woman was arrested on suspicion of smoking crack-cocaine while in labor and leaving her newborn outdoors, police said.

Katrina Kegelman, 24, of Clearwater, gave birth Monday night at her home and left the baby in the backyard, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

A friend “noticed blood on Kegelman’s pants” and called 911, the Times reported. Kegelman finally motioned to firefighters that the newborn was hidden in the yard, police said.

Kegelman told police she lied about the child because she was afraid of getting arrested for “having smoked crack moments before giving birth,” the Times reported.

Kegelman faces a child neglect charge. The infant is well, police said.

Read more at the Tampa Bay Times.

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