Lacey woman arrested in baby’s death

Police have arrested a Lacey woman for investigation of first-degree manslaughter in the death of her newborn baby.

Police say 29-year-old Jessica Wemhaner was arrested Wednesday and was taken to the Thurston County Jail.

On Sunday, Wemhaner was taken by ambulance to Providence St. Peter Hospital. Police say doctors told them the woman showed signs of having recently delivered a baby, but she and her husband denied she had given birth.

Police obtained a search warrant for a home in Lacey and discovered the body of a newborn girl who was less than a day old.

An autopsy Monday determined the girl had been born alive after a full-term pregnancy. Police say studies are pending analysis.

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