New Jersey woman faces 30-year prison sentence for setting newborn on fire

On Friday, a New Jersey woman was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty of setting her new born baby and leaving her in the middle of a road.

According to CBS News, Hypernkemberly Dorvilier was sentenced after pleading guilty last February over aggravated manslaughter. Authorities said that the 23-year-old set her own baby on fire using an accelerant in January 2015. The baby had third-degree burns over 60 percent of her body that led to her death in about two hours after she was taken to a Philadelphia hospital. 

As quoted by ABC News, Dovilier said while in handcuffs, "I was on a downward spiral. I believe I hit my rock bottom. I apologize first and foremost for not giving my daughter, Angelica, the life she deserved. She deserved so much better." Prosecutors of the case said Dovilier hid her pregnancy from her mother and sister. They added that they've found the baby still attached in with her umbilical cord and placenta.

Yahoo published the story behind the grave case of mother and her new born baby. The report said that police responded to a call about a fire on the road in the township, 30 miles east of Philadelphia. The court documents added that when the police arrived, they saw a neighbor pinning down Dorvilier on the ground while the baby is burning and wrapped in a smoldering towel and paper. Dorvilier was holding a can of WD-40 and a lighter in her jacket.

Dorvilier's sister, Dejennie, asked for mercy to Judge Terrence Cook for leniency, saying her sister needs help. However, the judge declined from giving one as the punishment is a "sentence that justice requires."

Judge Terrence Cook said "the crime in the case was committed against the weakest of the weak." He added what the newborn only knew was the excruciating pain of being set on fire by her own mother. An autopsy revealed that the baby died from smoke inhalation and burns.

Tags

New Jersey, Dorvilier, Terrence Cook, Aggravated murder, baby, setting newborn, Philadelphia, Third-Degree Burns, newborn

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