NO. 10: LANDFILL BABY MOM GETS CHARGED

When word spread in November 2007 that the Highlands County Sheriff's Office was searching the Highlands County Landfill for proof of a fetus dumped illegally, it was still unimaginable to many.

It was only later that authorities began to hint that the fetus may have been a live baby.

On Jan. 9, 2008, Silvia Zanchez, 25, of 109 Sarasota St., was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for Feb. 19, 2009. No trial date has been set in the case, according to court records.

Zanchez remained in Highlands County Jail on Wednesday, Dec. 24, without bond.

Events go back to when a roommate at the defendant's residence told authorities that Zanchez had delivered a baby in her bedroom on the night of Nov. 22, 2007, according to a previous 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.

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office reported that Zanchez admitted to delivering a live infant that was later placed in a bag and collected by the garbage company.

A lengthy search was conducted by the sheriff's office at the landfill, using cadaver-detecting dogs from other agencies who searched through tons of garbage to try and recover the baby's body.

Several command posts were set up for dozens of searchers who combed through the trash pile. The baby's body was never found.

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