Rebecca Blackmore

Background

Rebecca Jo Blackmore was 16 years old when her infant daughter died in 2011. She was previously a student at Currituck County High School and had recently completed her sophomore year. Blackmore was from Knotts Island, North Carolina.

Blackmore listed Sonic Drive-Thru as her employer on her Facebook page and wrote about loving her life, boyfriend, friends and family. She tracked month by month how long she and her boyfriend, Michael Derosier, had been together. In her “About Me” section, she wrote about Derosier: “It's been more than a year, and I still find myself loving you more and more everyday.” Derosier had not been charged in connection with the crime.

The offence

Authorities said Rebecca Jo Blackmore killed her newborn child by stabbing the baby girl to death with scissors.

The medical examiner later determined the baby was alive at birth and survived only for a very short period of time. The infant’s death was caused by “multiple stab wounds,” according to Sheriff Susan Johnson.

According to court documents and hospital information reported in connection with the case, Blackmore said the infant was born not breathing and blue between midnight and 1 a.m. She reported stabbing the infant with a scissors, wrapping the body in a blanket, and placing it in a closet. The autopsy examination revealed a term infant who appeared otherwise healthy but had stab and cutting wounds on the chest and neck. External and internal injuries were consistent with the infant being alive at the time of the injuries, the autopsy report said.

A safe haven law in North Carolina allowed a person to leave a baby, up to 7 days old, with an employee on duty at any hospital and several other approved locations. The mother was not required to provide any identifying information. Children who were dropped off became a ward of the state.

Investigation

Authorities found the baby’s body hidden inside Blackmore’s bedroom closet. The medical examiner’s office in Greenville, N.C., determined the baby was alive at birth and survived only for a very short period of time and that the death was caused by multiple stab wounds.

Sheriff Susan Johnson had previously told HuffPost that the infant’s death was caused by “multiple stab wounds,” and had also previously stated the baby was alive at birth and survived only for a very short period of time.

Arrest

Blackmore had been brought to Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach after her mother found her in the bathroom at home with blood in the bathroom on June 17, 2011. In the course of the evaluation at the hospital, it was discovered that Blackmore had been pregnant and she admitted to having delivered the infant at home.

After police arrived at Blackmore’s home, they found the baby’s body in the closet.

Trial

Blackmore was charged as an adult in the killing. She was charged with first degree murder for the death of her baby, and prosecutors later lowered the charge as part of her plea.

Quotations

Neighbors gave differing reactions to the case. Larry Ashbrook said: “I think it's terrible if that's the way it went. I'd like to know both sides before I make any judgment. It's too many quick judgments in this world.” Neighbor Sherry Dudley said: “I think she should be tried for murder and put away for whatever they want to put her away for. You don't kill a kid.”

When ABC News called Blackmore’s home, her mother, Barbara Jo Blackmore, answered the phone but hung up without commenting.

Sentencing

Blackmore pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison on August 21, 2013 on a reduced murder charge. With the plea, prosecutors lowered the charge from first degree murder, which could have resulted in a sentence of life in prison without parole.

Outcome

Rebecca Jo Blackmore pleaded guilty and received a 10 to 12 year prison sentence on August 21, 2013 for the killing of her infant daughter.

Aftermath

The case generated public discussion online and in the community. The ABC News report described “a flood of Facebook messages expressing everything from support to disgust.” One friend wrote: “no matter what people say youre still the girl that used to stay up all night with me on the computer editing our myspace pages,” and wrote: “im here and nobody is gonna change my mind about you.” Another person wrote: “how can you feel sorry for that girl and defend her?!?! ur crazy!”

Blackmore was held on a bond amount reported as $500,000 by ABC affiliate WVEC, and had been released on a $250,000 secured bond reported in the WAVY account.