LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WACH) — A 27-year-old woman was sentenced to prison for the death of her newborn daughter on Wednesday, according to the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Brennan H. Geller was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the death of her newborn Kimberly Faith Taylor.
Chief Administrative Judge Walton J. McLeod, IV, sentenced Geller following her guilty plea to homicide by child abuse.
Geller is not eligible for parole under South Carolina law.
ORIGINAL STORY | Lexington woman charged after giving birth, putting baby in a trash bag, deputies say
On August 4, 2018, Lexington Medical Center told the Lexington County Sheriff's Department an infant was found dead in a trash bag inside of Geller's Jeep Laredo.
The baby was found by a family member hours after being placed in it.
An autopsy determined that air was in the baby's lungs, along with other indications of a live birth.
Doctors determined the baby was full term, weighing 7 pounds, and 6 ounces.
An investigation determined Geller left work early and knew she was in labor. Searching "what to expect while in labor" and "when do contractions stop."
The investigation confirmed that Geller gave birth in her Jeep, without medical assistance.
Geller repeatedly denied her pregnancy to friends and acquaintances, including her boyfriend.
After giving birth, Geller used scissors to cut the umbilical cord and placed the baby in the trash can.
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher determined the cause of death was homicide.
Geller was treated at Lexington Medical Center for complications that came after delivery. When asked, she initially denied giving birth.
A search of her vehicle by law enforcement revealed the scissors and towels used during delivery.
During the sentencing hearing, the victim's father, Edwin Taylor addressed the court. Taylor learned of the pregnancy after the law enforcement investigation began. He fought for parental rights to properly bury his daughter, naming her Kimberly Faith.
“I was never given the opportunity to hold her in my arms, I only get to hold her in my heart,” said Taylor. “It breaks my heart knowing that she’s not here on earth right now with me making some of the childhood memories a father and daughter should be making at 5 years old.”The case was prosecuted by Eleventh Circuit Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes, Assistant Solicitor Whitney Yongue Taylor, and Assistant Solicitor Gabrielle Williams.
Geller is being transferred to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin her sentence immediately.
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