By Billy Davis

A teenage girl who allegedly killed her newborn will plead guilty in circuit court today.

Linda Nash, 17, is expected to plead to a charge of manslaughter, Tom Womble, her defense attorney, said this week.

Manslaughter carries a minimum sentence of two years in prison, a maximum of 20 years.

Assistant District Attorney Jay Hale is prosecuting the case.

Circuit Judge Andrew C. Baker is presiding.

Nash’s sentencing was expected to follow the plea hearing but was moved due to scheduling problems, Womble told The Panolian. A new sentencing date has not been set.

Authorities have said Nash, then 16, killed the newborn January 30 at her home on Pope-Water Valley Road.

Authorities were notified that a newborn, already deceased, had been taken to the emergency room at Tri-Lakes Medical Center. Family members transported the child.

An autopsy indicated the child, a boy, died of a single stab wound to the abdomen.

Nash was originally charged with murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence in Mississippi.   

Womble, in past months, has not denied that Nash killed her newborn but said circumstances that led to the incident were forthcoming.  

He also pointed out that Nash was a “straight A” student at North Delta School, had never had discipline problems and was well liked at school.

“People who know this child know that she doesn’t have the capability to commit murder,” Womble said in February. “This couldn’t have happened, so why did it?”

Womble made a similar statement this week, saying the sentencing hearing will allow the defense attorney to “clear the water” before Baker announces the sentence.

“The ‘why’ has not been answered yet,” Womble said. “The judge looks at the individual and at the circumstances.”

The child was buried February 5 at a graveside service at Batesville Cemetery.