MANTI-- More than five months after reports that an allegedly stillborn infant was born to a 17 year-old mother, charges against her have been filed in Sixth District Juvenile Court.

Near the end of March, a teen reported having placed her stillborn baby in a trash can and placed it into a dumpster which was later disposed at the Sanpete County Landfill.

After more than two months of searching, the Sanpete County Sheriff's Department called off the landfill search. An extensive search in the area in and around the teen's home was also made for a burial site, but no body was discovered.

However, other evidence from the home, the teen's statements to investigators and statements from the young girl to others warranted enough evidence for county prosecutors to press charges amounting to desecration of a corpse or a dead human body.

In adult court, the charge would be punishable by a prison term of 0 - 5 years. However, the goal of juvenile court is to teach the value of life and other life values and skills are taught.

"This type of a case is not common, but moving ahead without a body is not uncommon," said Sanpete County Attorney Ross Blackham. "The goal here is to rehabilitate. She made some very bad decisions. She's young and was scared. With more care and support, this situation may not have had to end like this."