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New York Woman Pleads Not Guilty in Death of Newborn Found in Garbage

Nausheen Rahman is facing charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse.
Nausheen Rahman, who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of a baby found in the garbage outside her Staten Island residence.
Nausheen Rahman, who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of a baby found in the garbage outside her Staten Island residence.

A New York City woman accused of leaving her newborn to die in the trash pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse.

Nausheen Rahman, 28, allegedly cut the umbilical cord of her baby daughter, who was still breathing, placed her in a plastic bag, and threw her in a garbage can outside her Staten Island residence on March 11, according to the Staten Island District Attorney's Office and a criminal complaint.

RELATED: Staten Island Woman Charged in Death of Newborn Found in Garbage

Rahman entered her not-guilty plea on a three-count grand jury indictment before State Supreme Court Justice Stephen J. Rooney in Staten Island. Rooney ordered Rahman held without bail.

A message left Friday with Rahman’s attorney, Michael Robert Rosas, was not returned. After Rahman’s arraignment in March on the criminal complaint, at which she did not enter a plea, Rosas told NBC News they would conduct their own investigation and see where it leads.

“It's a tragic event, and we're doing our best to uncover some of the facts,” Rosas said at the time.

According to prosecutors, Rahman allegedly gave birth to her daughter inside her Staten Island home. Later, her parents took her to Staten Island University Hospital – North for vaginal bleeding, prosecutors said. At first, Rahman allegedly denied having a baby, but later admitted to giving birth and disposing of her daughter who was alive, prosecutors said.

“I want to remind the public that under the state’s Safe Haven law, a baby up to 30 days old can be left with any responsible person at a hospital, police precinct or firehouse,” Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said in a statement.

If convicted, Rahman faces 25 years to life in prison.

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