A Citrus County woman has been charged in the death of her newborn after the girl was found face down in a trash can in a hotel room, Marion County deputies said.

  • Friend found mother’s newborn baby girl in trash can
  • Mother claims the baby was born dead
  • Deputies charge mother with aggravated manslaughter of a child

In March, Jodi Leann Alexander's friend called authorities after finding a dead baby girl lying face down in a trash can of Alexander's hotel room at the Vacation Host Inn, located at 3330 S. Pine Ave., in Ocala, deputies said.

Towels were used in an attempt to hide the baby's death, according to a news release.

The medical examiner determined the baby, named Chance Alexander-Palmer, was born alive, but died as a result of the tearing of the umbilical cord, which caused her to bleed to death, deputies said.

When deputies arrived at the hotel room, the 26-year-old Alexander allegedly gave a "spontaneous statement that she did not want to be charged with murder and that the baby was born dead."

In another interview with deputies, Alexander allegedly told authorities she was unable to call 911 for help because she was too weak from giving birth.

The medical examiner discovered Chance had a generic form of Xanax and a prescribed pain medication in her system at the time of her death.

On the day deputies arrived in March, Alexander was arrested on two Citrus County violation of probation warrants: possession of oxycodone with the intent to sell and the sale of oxycodone.

Alexander was charged Aug. 1 with aggravated manslaughter of a child and she has no bond.