Mom of missing baby won't face charges

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - An Indianapolis mother whose newborn's whereabouts are unknown will not face any charges from the Marion County Prosecutor for now.

Formal felony child neglect charges were expected to be filed against 19-year-old Tasha Miller in court on Wednesday but, the deputy prosecutor decided not to file charges stating a lack of evidence in the case.

"We had enough probably to file a charge but certainly we didn't have enough to overcome reasonable doubt but maybe a motion to dismiss on the part of the defense," said Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi.

Miller was released from the Marion County Jail at 2:30 p.m. and transported directly to Wishard Hospital for a mental evaluation, something Brizzi and the Miller family agreed on.

"I talked to Miss Miller's mother who was in court today. She was going to take responsibility for Miss Miller whether that means hospitalization or intense home supervision," said Brizzi.

Miller told police she delivered a baby at home more than two weeks ago, but she claims she can't remember what she did with the newborn. Police say her story has changed several times, but the most consistent story stated the baby died and she put the baby in a shoebox and then into a Victoria's Secret bag and put it in a Dumpster.

Indianapolis Metro Police searched a Clinton County landfill on Monday in hopes of finding the newborn's remains, but weren't able to find anything.

Brizzi hopes that the people Miller spoke to about what she did with the baby will come forward and share information.

"Anytime we have cases where we have babies who have died and there are people who know about what happened and yet they fail to report, you can file the failure to report charges on them but when that happens you immediately lose them as a witness." says Brizzi.

Brizzi also says if he and Miller's attorney can't come to an agreement, he may move to seat a grand jury to hear testimony from witnesses.

Prosecutors say although charges weren't filed on Wednesday there could be charges in the future.