INFANT BREWSTER - Minutes old (10/14) - / Charged: Mother, Jessica Brewster - Muskegon, MI

Baby found buried in Muskegon was born in October


Baby found buried in Muskegon was born in October

Jon Mills, WZZM 8:08 p.m. EST November 11, 2014


MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) -- Police have arrested a teenager in connection with the death of a newborn, found partially buried in Muskegon.

Jessica Brewster, 17, is in the Muskegon County Jail on murder charges. District officials confirm she's a senior at Muskegon High School.

Detectives believe the baby may have been born in October and shortly after birth, was covered with dirt and left behind the Trinity Manor Senor housing complex.

Monday afternoon workers there first thought they found a dead animal, then called police after realizing what they were looking at.

"The baby was expired for some time and we have a tragic situation," said Muskegon Public Safety Director Jeffrey Lewis.

Detectives went door-to-door Monday asking residents if they had any pregnant relatives who had recently visited. One resident sent police to talk with her granddaughter. The teen was interviewed Monday afternoon.

"It was a 17-year-old female who admitted she was in fact pregnant and had the baby sometime in mid-October," Lewis said.

Muskegon County Jail records show Jessica Brewster is being held on a homicide charge. Police spent Tuesday finalizing interviews and preparing investigative reports. The baby was found near an exit door and very close to Brewster's grandmother's apartment.

"There are still a lot of questions out there that have to be answered," Lewis said.

Wednesday, the Muskegon County Prosecutor is expected to review police reports and decide if the mother will be charged.

Under the Safe Haven Law, a parent can leave their baby, up to three days old, with a staff member at any hospital, fire station, police station or any emergency service provider that's on duty in Michigan.


http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/lakeshore/2014/11/11/baby-found-buried-in-muskegon-was-born-in-october/18871689/

Teen in custody after body of infant found


Neighbors shocked by discovery of newborn's body

Phil Dawson and Bob Brenzing, WZZM 2:05 p.m. EST November 11, 2014


MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) -- Witnesses say the infant found partially covered by dirt behind a senior housing complex may have been completely buried at one point, but because of rain and wind gradually became visible.

The baby's decomposing body was discovered Monday afternoon in Muskegon near a back door behind Trinity Manor on Shonat Street.

Shortly after the discovery, a 17-year-old Muskegon teen was arrested. She is being held in the Muskegon County Jail and is being cooperative with the police investigation. She will be in court on Wednesday on homicide charges; courts are closed Tuesday for Veterans Day.

Muskegon Public Schools confirm to WZZM the girl is a Muskegon High School senior.

Muskegon County Jail records show Jessica Brewster, 17, was booked Monday on homicide charges.

"I don't know what reasons were behind it, but it hurts my heart that someone would have to go to this extent," said Evone, a resident who lives in a unit near where the body was found. "It's very hurtful. I value the life of any child."

Residents say they learned about the discovery from police asking questions.

"They questioned everybody on this floor," recalled Morres Holmes. "The officer said he found an abandoned baby and it was full-term pregnancy. They asked me if I had anyone pregnant visiting. A pregnant granddaughter or daughter. I told them no."

But detectives quickly identified a person of interest.

Morres Holmes wonders if it's the pregnant girl who knocked at his door a few days ago.

"I had someone pregnant knocked on my door about a week ago asking for her granny," he recalls." A young girl and her boyfriend."

Police have not said if they think the baby was born alive.

Under the Safe Haven Law, a parent can leave their baby, up to three days old, with a staff member at any hospital, fire station, police station or any emergency service provider that's on duty in Michigan.

Decomposing infant partially buried behind senior housing comples(Photo: Phil)



http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/muskegon/2014/11/10/decomposing-body-of-infant-found-behind-senior-housing-complex/18835683/

Police: Teen mom smothered newborn daughter with towel




(Photo: Muskegon County Jail)

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) -- The Muskegon County Prosecutor has charged a Muskegon teen with open murder in the death of her newborn daughter.

Jessica Brewster, a 17-year-old senior at Muskegon High School, was officially charged Wednesday morning. Judge Harold F. Closz III denied bond.

The newborn's body was found partially buried Monday behind Trinity Manor Senor housing complex by a janitor. Police say the infant died October 15.

Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson said, "As of right now we believe she acted alone."

Police arrested Brewster after interviewing residents at the housing complex. One woman told investigators her granddaughter was pregnant and had recently visited.

According to court documents, Brewster delivered the baby girl on October 15 in a bathroom at her home on Fifth Street.

She told detectives after giving birth, she covered the baby's mouth with a towel so her mother wouldn't hear the cry. She continued to hold the towel until the baby stopped breathing. Brewster hid the baby girl in a towel until the next day when she buried it near her grandmother's apartment.

Detectives are still trying to locate the father of the child. Brewster is due back in court later this month.

Under the Safe Haven Law, a parent can leave their baby, up to three days old, with a staff member at any hospital, fire station, police station or any emergency service provider that's on duty in Michigan.


http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/muskegon/2014/11/12/teen-charged-open-murder/18910971/