Jacksonville Mother Could Face Adult Sentence
A 17-year-old central Illinois girl who authorities say left her newborn son in a dumpster could face an adult sentence if convicted of attempted murder.
The State Journal-Register reports a motion granted Thursday in Morgan County court says the Jacksonville girl would receive juvenile and adult sentences if she is convicted. Assistant state's attorney Chad Turner says an adult sentence would be enforced if she didn't meet the requirements of a juvenile sentence.
The maximum sentence for minors convicted of the charge is incarceration until they turn 21. Adult convictions carry a prison sentence of six to 30 years.
Turner says the girl has a right to jury trial under the motion.
The baby was found in August in a trash bin behind a Jacksonville business and is now in foster care.