Mom Accused of Setting Baby on Fire Pleads Not Guilty

A woman accused of setting her newborn on fire and leaving her in the middle of a New Jersey street has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge.

Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier entered the plea Monday in Superior Court in Mount Holly. The Burlington County Times reports her public defender, Karen Thek, says she intends to amend the plea to either not guilty by reason of insanity or by diminished capacity.

Authorities say the 22-year-old Pemberton Township woman doused her newborn with accelerant and set her on fire in January. The baby had third-degree burns over 60 percent of her body. She died two hours after she was flown to a Philadelphia hospital.

Prosecutors say they haven't had the chance to discuss a possible plea agreement.

Dorvilier remains jailed on $500,000 bail.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us