Westernville Woman Charged with Concealing Corpse

A Westernville woman is facing a felony charge of concealing a human corpse after she allegedly disposed of the body of her baby after she says it was born deceased.

26-Year-old Brianna K. Howard is being held at the Oneida County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bail and authorities are asking anyone with information that may be important to their investigation to call: (315) 765.2226.

In a written release from the Oneida County Sheriff's Department officials say they had received a complaint from Rome Memorial Hospital's Prenatal Care Services after Howard, who was being treated at the hospital, "suddenly stopped coming to appointments.  After several attempts to contact the patient, they were informed that the baby had died."  Hospital officials had told deputies that the baby "appeared to be in good health" at the last examination.

Officials say that Howard is believed to have delivered the baby on December 18, 2015.  They charge that "Howard failed to contact emergency medical or law enforcement personnel to properly report the death and them improperly concealed and disposed of the body."

Authorities say their investigation is still in progress as they reach out for anyone with information to come forward.