An 18-year-old American teenager faces the possibility of spending the rest of her life in prison or being completely absolved of an alleged crime after being accused of throwing her newborn out of a hotel window in Paris. The incident occurred on February 24 at the Ibis Styles Hotel on 17 Rue des Reglises, where the teenager, who was on a gap year trip with an international cultural program from Massachusetts, reportedly discarded the newborn with its umbilical cord still attached. The baby’s body was discovered in a nearby trash can, wrapped in cloth, prompting French authorities to investigate the case as a homicide.
The mother, who has not been publicly identified, underwent surgery at a hospital and was subsequently placed in police custody. Legal experts in Paris, including defense attorneys Avi Bitton and Lois P. Lesot, are now assessing the situation to determine the woman’s fate. One crucial factor being considered is whether she was aware of her pregnancy, with the possibility of “denial of pregnancy” as a psychological condition being evaluated in the case. This condition arises when a woman is unable or unwilling to acknowledge her pregnancy, potentially impacting her mental state during the events in question.
Bitton and Lesot emphasize that the outcome of the case hinges on the teenager’s mental state at the time of the incident, as French law exempts individuals from criminal liability if they were suffering from a mental disorder that impaired their judgment or control over their actions. While the woman could face up to three years in pre-trial detention, there are provisions for potential release under judicial review with certain restrictions.
The ongoing investigation is expected to involve assessments of the woman’s mental health, witness interviews, and an autopsy of the infant. If convicted, extradition agreements between the United States and France could allow her to serve her sentence in the U.S. It remains unclear whether the woman has obtained legal representation to advocate on her behalf.
