Westland Mom, 31, Charged In Death Of Her Newborn Baby

WESTLAND, MI — A Westland woman could spend the rest of her life in prison after her newborn baby suspiciously died in December, according to police.

Trisha Lempea, 31, was charged with felony murder, first-degree child abuse and concealing the death of an individual. She was placed in jail without bond. Her next court date is scheduled for Jan. 11.

If convicted, she faces up to life in prison for the murder charge, up to life for the child abuse charge and up to five years for the concealing the death of a person charge.

Westland police officers were called to a hospital at roughly 11 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2023, regarding an infant's death, police said.

Investigators determined the child was born roughly a week earlier at a home in the 2500 block of Bannister Court near Venoy and Glenwood roads, police said.

Investigators also determined the child died at the home and police do not believe it was an accident. Moreover, the baby's mother did not call for medical help, police said.

After getting the results of an autopsy from the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office, police arrested Lempea in connection to the infant's death.

No further information was released as police were still investigating the incident.