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Columbia mother charged in death of newborn

Moira Akers, 38, of Carved Stone in Columbia (Photo by HCPD)

by Howard County Police Department

Howard County police have arrested a Columbia woman in the death of her newborn child in November 2018. Moira Akers, 38, of Carved Stone in Columbia, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder.

Police were called to Howard County General Hospital Nov. 1 after Akers was transported from her residence by paramedics. Through investigation, it was determined that Akers had recently given birth inside her home. Investigators responded to the house and located a male newborn in a zipped plastic bag under blankets in a closet. The baby was deceased.

A recently-completed autopsy report classified the death as a homicide. The findings state that the infant was full-term and alive at birth. The cause of death was ruled as asphyxiation and exposure. An analysis of Akers’ internet search history revealed numerous searches on how to terminate a pregnancy.

Akers was arrested at her residence Wednesday night and is being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center.