HOWLAND TOWNSHIP Woman arrested in baby's death
The woman is to be arraigned today, officials said.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- A 29-year-old Columbus woman who police allege killed her newborn has been arrested by Howland Township police on a murder charge.
The woman is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, court officials said.
Police and court officials declined to give the woman's name. Columbus police officers confirmed that a woman was talking to township officers at their station Friday.
Officials said the woman arrested is believed to be the mother of a baby that was found dead inside the 8311 Brookwood Drive N.E. home of Anthony Lentine last weekend.
Letter from family: The Lentine family, through its attorney William R. Biviano, released a letter to the press Friday afternoon saying they believe "in all probability" that their daughter, Danielle M. Lentine, now 29, "gave birth to a child either in their home or sufficiently near their home in Howland Township."
"Circumstances surrounding the health of the child at birth are unknown," the letter states. "Apparently, Danielle hid the remains in an uninsulated, vented crawl space adjacent to a second floor bedroom, which she occupied."
The letter further notes that the woman has not lived in the home since July 1999 and has not returned to their home since that time.
"At no time did they know that Danielle was pregnant nor did they give access to their home to any other pregnant female at or about the time in question," the letter states.
The letter also states that the Lentine family wishes to protect its privacy and the privacy of other close family members.
"They thank all members of the community who have shown their support with cards, letters and words of concern and compassion," the letter states. "As they respect the right of the public to receive information, they now ask their right to privacy be observed."
Talked to woman: Detective Paul Monroe and patrol officer Al Ray went to Columbus on Friday morning to talk with the woman, Howland Police Chief Steve Lamantia said.
According to Trumbull County 911 records, Anthony Lentine Jr., called around 5:15 p.m. March 17 and told officials that he found a dead baby inside a garbage bag in his home. Officials said Lentine was cleaning his house when he found a garbage bag in an unheated crawl space. The badly decomposed infant was wrapped inside the garbage bag, officials said.
Police couldn't determine the baby's gender or age.