AP

Missouri mom convicted of killing her infant twins

Jan 29, 2023, 12:10 AM | Updated: 2:48 pm

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A Missouri mother who reported that her infant twins were stillborn has been convicted of manslaughter.

Maya Caston, 28, was convicted Friday of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and two counts of child endangerment. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that jury found her guilty of lesser charges instead of convicting her of second-degree murder.

Prosecutors argued that Caston’s lack of action to get care for the babies showed that she caused the deaths. And her extensive internet searches for miscarriages and abortion methods before she gave birth demonstrated that she didn’t want the babies.

The evidence showed that Caston searched Google for “cheap abortion pills,” “free abortion clinic” and “can you cause a miscarriage if you hit yourself in the stomach hard enough?” After she gave birth, Cason researched if you can bury a baby in a back garden.

Caston told the jury that she had planned to give the babies up for adoption at a doctor’s appointment three days after they were born, but by that time, the babies had died after not eating.

“We have two dead babies. She didn’t want them. She didn’t care for them,” Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Dittmeier said in closing arguments. “She didn’t even give them a name.”

Caston’s public defenders argued that she has an intellectual disability and didn’t understand the risk to the infants.

“I was in shock. I didn’t know what to do,” she told the jury.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

putin election...

Emma Burrows and Dasha Litvinova, The Associated Press

Putin extends rule in preordained Russian election after harshest crackdown since Soviet era

With nearly all the precincts counted Monday, election officials said Putin had secured a record number of votes.

20 hours ago

Photo: An official walks toward an entrance to the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, Cali...

Associated Press

Judge appoints special master to oversee California federal women’s prison after rampant abuse

A judge on Friday appointed a special master to oversee a troubled federal women’s prison in California known for rampant sexual abuse.

3 days ago

photo: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, left, and prosecutor Daysha Young speak to each...

Kate Brumback and Alanna Durkin Richer, The Associated Press

Prosecutor leaves Georgia election case against Trump after relationship with district attorney

A prosecutor who had a relationship with an attorney formally withdrew Friday from the Georgia election interference case against Trump.

4 days ago

Image: Public defender Drew Flood with the nonprofit law firm Metropolitan Public Defender looks ov...

Associated Press

Washington State Bar Association OKs far lower caseloads for public defenders

The Bar approved the limits in an effort to stop the lawyers from quitting and to make sure they have enough time to represent each client.

5 days ago

Image: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks rally at Coastal ...

The MyNorthwest staff with wire reports

Washington pushes Trump over the top in GOP delegate count after presidential primary

After Tuesday's presidential primary, Washington, unofficially, put Donald Trump over the top to secure the Republican nomination again.

6 days ago

Image: This combo image shows President Joe Biden, left, Jan. 5, 2024 and Republican presidential c...

Associated Press

Biden, Trump win Washington presidential primaries, clinch parties’ nominations

Biden overcame concerns about his leadership as the presidential contest shifts to a general election rematch that many voters do not want.

6 days ago

Missouri mom convicted of killing her infant twins