GOSHEN – The Port Jervis woman, who is charged with leaving her newborn baby to die in a vacant lot on November 19, 2019, was arraigned in Orange County Court on Tuesday on charges including murder.
Judge Robert Prisco remanded Nicole Layman, 22, to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $500,000 cash bail, $3 million secured bond or $5 million partially secured bond.
The indictment charges her with two counts of murder, manslaughter, abandonment of a child, assault and tampering with physical evidence.
An investigation revealed the baby had died of exposure to the elements, when left in freezing cold conditions.
Layman was arrested on February 8, 2020.
If convicted, she faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison on the murder charge.
“Consigning an infant to die of exposure is unnecessary, illegal and barbaric,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “Help is available within Orange County for those who believe they are unable to care for their children. It is hard to comprehend what could drive any mother to kill her own baby by abandoning her in freezing cold conditions in a vacant lot.”
