HENRICO, VA—A Henrico County mother was arrested and charged with attempted murder and felony child neglect, after placing her newborn daughter in a plastic bag and leaving her in a dryer.
Angela Marie Janecka, 39, of the 5600 block of Aloe Court, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and felony child neglect on September 4.
Authorities said Janecka had given birth to a baby girl on August 25 by home delivery, and failed to seek medical attention after the child's birth.
Janecka told her husband, who was absent at the time of her delivery, that the baby had been born dead, and that a doctor had taken the child away.
Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Nancy Oglesby said in an arraignment hearing Wednesday morning that when Janecka's husband came home later in the day, he discovered the baby in a plastic bag inside a pillow case inside their apartment's dryer, alive.
The couple left a message on their 8-year-old son's pediatrician's answering machine later that day, which said their baby had been born, and requested assistance from the doctor. Police arrived to the home at approximately 3:00 PM.
The newborn weighed over 8 pounds, and did not have any visible injuries, police said. She is now in custody of Child Protective Services.
The couple's 8-year-old son remains in the father's custody. Janecka's husband has not been charged.
Janecka is currently being held without bond, by the order of Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Judge Denis F. Soden. She is next scheduled to appear in court Nov. 16.
An investigation of this case is ongoing. Stay with 8News for updates.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
