Bond Set for Clear Lake Woman in Newborns Death

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Brittnie Sturzenbecher faces 2nd degree murder charges for the death of her newborn baby.

Brittnie Sturzenbecher faces 2nd degree murder charges for the death of her newborn baby.

By Associated Press

Story Created: Jul 28, 2008 at 10:42 AM CST

Story Updated: Jul 28, 2008 at 10:42 AM CST

A Clear Lake woman faces a murder charge in the death of a newborn girl.  She's identified as Brittnie Sturzenbecher.  South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long says the woman had recently given birth.

The 22-year-old Sturzenbecher has been charged with second-degree murder and was being held in jail at Watertown after being arrested at the Watertown hospital.  Deuel County authorities say Sturzenbecher's bond has been set at $250,000 and she is scheduled for an initial court appearance on August 4th in Clear Lake.

Second-degree murder is punishable by a maximum of life in prison.

 

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Sunday, Aug 31 at 1:00 PM ?? wrote ...

We wont forget about this case!! What is happening with it now?? I hope something! Please give us an update

Wednesday, Jul 30 at 1:32 PM lucy wrote ...

#1 facebook pictures dated April just means they were uploaded in April. I can upload my baby pictures today & that doesn't mean they were taken today. #2 when is a 22 year old a teenager??

Wednesday, Jul 30 at 11:42 AM 20 YEAR OLD MOM.... wrote ...

I AM ONLY 20 AND I KNOW BETTER THAN THAT. I HAVE TWO KIDS AND I CAN'T IMAGINE DOING THAT. SURE I WAS DEFINETLY AFRAID WHEN I HAD MY FIRST BUT TO LEAVE HER FOR DEAD???? NO WAY! I KNOW I DON'T KNOW THE FACTS..BUT EVEN IF SHE WAS "STILLBORN" AND HER MOTHER DIDN'T KILL HER....WHY NOT GO FOR HELP THEN...LIKE SHE DID FOR HERSELF AT THE HOSPITAL...SHE SOUNDS SELFISH AND IRRESPONSIBLE....ITS TIME FOR TEENAGE MOMS TO GROW UP! AND QUIT USING THE LAME "I WAS SCARED" DEFENSE!

Wednesday, Jul 30 at 9:12 AM SD Law. Student. wrote ...

One would think that at age 22 a person would know the difference of right and wrong.

Wednesday, Jul 30 at 2:56 AM Richard wrote ...

She showed me how to do my nails properly.

Tuesday, Jul 29 at 2:27 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Give that girl a toothbrush.

Tuesday, Jul 29 at 9:45 AM jp wrote ...

First of all, PPD can cause people to not act rationally. Facebook isn't a very good piece of evidence since you can prove dates and if i were trying to hide a pregnancy, i would pretend to drink so no one would guess. She is young so we need to give her the benefit of the doubt until it is determined if they baby was born alive or dead and what exactly happened here.

Tuesday, Jul 29 at 9:12 AM A.D. wrote ...

Wow some people are not the brightest bulbs on the tree, but to kill your own?

Tuesday, Jul 29 at 9:03 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Anyway you look at this, it was wrong. If she didn't want the baby, adoption is an option...if it was a stillborn, tell someone.

Tuesday, Jul 29 at 8:54 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I just looked at her facebook and all the pictures on there were uploaded in 2006 or so. I think people should do their reasearch before trash talking someone they don't even know. If she is inocent i feel bad for her and her family. If she is not then I hope the courts serve justice for that poor neewborn.

Tuesday, Jul 29 at 8:30 AM read the story not the gossip wrote ...

how do you know anything about her from looking at old facebook pictures??? none of them are dated as when they were TAKEN...they have a date on when they were PUT ON FACEBOOK!!! they don't even know if the baby was stillborn or not yet! back off her! read the facts not what others are making up.

Tuesday, Jul 29 at 7:50 AM Amy wrote ...

Well when shes setting in prison she can ponder on what a bright bulb she is for doing this.

Tuesday, Jul 29 at 1:43 AM Mr. man wrote ...

Shes a goddess

Monday, Jul 28 at 10:22 PM Bad.. wrote ...

Her facebook does not have any pictures of her drunk while pregnant.. the pictures aren't even relatively recent..none the less, she doesn't even mention that she is or was pregnant. I couldn't imagine anything happening to my newborn son.. i just wonder what happened to her little girl. its truly heartbreaking.

Monday, Jul 28 at 9:26 PM Anonymous wrote ...

People.. First of all do you know all the dirty stuff on facebook that people have up... You don't know her or what is even happening so until you do you should refrain from spreading rumors...

Monday, Jul 28 at 8:04 PM Anonymous wrote ...

it is true about facebook, what an irresponsible young person!!! She deserves what she gets!!!!!

Monday, Jul 28 at 12:39 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I was told that on her facebook, it shows recent pictures of her drunk at parties..while she was possibly pregnant. Hopefully the police check out her website; pictures and blogs.

Monday, Jul 28 at 10:54 AM Not a wise choice wrote ...

This has to be pretty serious for that kind of bond. She could have taken other action instead the life that child.

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