A local woman pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity yesterday to charges of tampering with evidence after she allegedly disposed of her dead baby in a trash can near her Hollister, Ohio, home in April.
Jewell K. Leon, 25, disposed of the fetus because she was afraid she would be charged for heroin abuse if an investigation of the miscarriage had taken place. Leon's mental state will be evaluated by staff from the Shawnee Forensic Center while in jail. She is slated for a pre-trial hearing Sept. 22.
The charge of tampering is a charge against justice and it is unclear if any other charges will be pressed after the investigation, said Keller Blackburn, assistant Athens County prosecutor. Blackburn refused to discuss any details of the case or what other charges could be pressed against Leon. -
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Jessica Holbrook
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Jewell K. Leon lists to proceedings in Athens County Municipal Court yesterday. Leon is charged with tampering with evidence after allegedly leaving her dead baby in the trash
