Police say Iowa Teen Threw Newborn Girl in Trash Chute, Killing Her

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jun 4, 2007 at 1:11 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 5, 2007 at 1:51 PM CST

SOLON -- The Solon teenager who managed to hide her pregnancy from her parents and even her boyfriend now faces a murder charge in Florida.

Authorities in Pompano Beach say 18-year-old Ashley Truitt gave birth to a baby girl in a hotel bathroom Saturday morning.

Truitt was vacationing with her parents, her brother and her boyfriend.

Authorities say Truitt's boyfriend, Jason Black, woke up and saw her leaving the room and leaving a blood trail. She reportedly told him she was just having her period.

Later, hotel staff found a bloody knife and called authorities, who found the baby's body. Police say Truitt used the knife to cut the umbilical cord.

Then, police say, she put the baby in a plastic bag with some towels and tossed the newborn down a trash chute.

The baby fell seven stories to a dumpster and died from head injuries.

On Monday, people in Truitt's hometown of Solon heard about the murder. KCRG-TV9 talked to community members and Truitt's friends.

Solon is the kind of place where neighbors greet each other by first name.

That's one reason many don't understand why Ashley Truitt never reached out for help.

"We had no idea she was pregnant, let alone this would happen. She was a really nice person, outgoing. She talked to everyone," Shelby Shemanski, a neighbor and friend, said.

Truitt recently graduated from Solon High School. She was nearly nine months pregnant at her graduation party, yet no one knew.

"Nobody would ever guess she would have done something like that," Kaylie Singkofer, a Solon High School student, said.

Even people who didn't know her say they're surprised to hear someone from this small town would be accused of doing something like this.

"You just can't figure out why someone would do a thing like that when there's so many people that want children," Solon resident Joe Turkal said.

Family members weren't home when we knocked on their door, but friends described Truitt as a nice person who liked to have fun.

"I'm kind of worried about her family. They have been through a lot. My prayers and thoughts are with them," Shemanski said.

Now, people in Solon just wish someone would have noticed Truitt was pregnant and reached out to help her.

"It's unacceptable in a town like this," Turkal said.

A town where people say they would have helped Truitt get through this difficult time in her life.

Prosecutors have charged Truitt with premeditated murder.

In Florida, that means she would be eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

E-mail Mark Geary at Mark.Geary@kcrg.com

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