Teen accused of killing newborn after giving birth inside Philadelphia apartment

A teen is facing charges after officials said she killed her newborn baby shortly after giving birth inside an apartment in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood.

The Philadelphia Police Department initially reported that around 12:52 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, officers responded to an apartment on the 1100 block of North American Street.

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When officers got to the residence, police said they found an unresponsive baby girl inside. She was pronounced dead at the scene by medics at 1:08 p.m.

Police had shared that the preliminary information suggested the baby may have sustained puncture wounds.

An official autopsy revealed the baby’s cause of death was stab wounds to the chest, and the death was ruled homicide.

In an update on Tuesday, April 28, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office announced that a teen was charged with killing her newborn baby.

Officials said the teen is facing the following charges: Voluntary manslaughter, possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person and tampering with physical evidence.

“What is clear now is that this heartbreaking incident constitutes criminal homicide and other criminal charges. More clarity is needed on this teenage girl’s mental state both before and shortly after childbirth, when the crimes occurred,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a news release.

DA Krasner added: “If additional evidence indicates modification of these charges is just, they will be modified in the future, as always. From the very beginning, our C.A.R.E.S. Unit (Crisis Assistance Response Engagement Services) has been in touch with the family, co-survivors and community impacted and will remain so to ensure they receive the appropriate resources and services, in collaboration with the assigned Assistant District Attorney and DAO’s Victim Services Unit.

“In addition, any potential medical and/or psychiatric needs of juvenile defendants must be addressed, as always, per the law.  The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office remains committed to individual justice, including individual justice for women and girls of every age.”

Officials said the investigation is still active and ongoing.

Resources are available for Pennsylvanians who are not ready to take care of a newborn and don’t have friends or family to ask for help. Under the state’s Safe Haven law, you may bring a newborn baby up to 28 days old to any Pennsylvania hospital, to a police officer at a police station or an emergency services provider at an EMS station.

You will not be charged as long as the baby is unharmed and not a victim of any crime. Under the Safe Haven law, the baby will be examined by a doctor and provided any medical care they need. The local county children and youth agency will then take the baby and provide them with a loving family.

Call 1-866-921-SAFE (7233) or visit the Safe Haven website for more details.