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Highlands Today

Landfill Baby Case Set For February Court Date

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: December 26, 2008

SEBRING - A Lake Placid woman charged with the murder of her newly delivered infant child will next appear in court in February.

Silvia Zanchez, 25, of 109 Sarasota St., is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Feb. 19. No trial date has been set in the case, according to court records.

Zanchez remained in Highlands County Jail on Wednesday under no bond.

A roommate at the defendant's residence told authorities Zanchez had delivered a baby in her bedroom on the night of Nov. 22, 2007, according to a Jan. 9 Highlands Today report.

The roommate also alleged that Zanchez disposed of sheets, bedding and other unknown items in trash bags that were picked up by garbage collectors on Nov. 23.

An earlier press release from the Highlands County Sheriff's Office stated that Zanchez admitted to delivering a live infant that was later placed in a bag and collected by the garbage company.

A search was conducted by the sheriff's office at the Highlands County Landfill, where cadaver-detecting dogs from other agencies searched through garbage to try and recover the baby's body.

No body was ever located.

Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin previously said prosecutors would have to prove, "circumstantially," that Zanchez did give birth to a live baby.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at 863-386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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