2006 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
JAMES P. LYNCH, ACTING CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA INFORMATION

June 9, 2006

Acting Camden County Prosecutor James P. Lynch reported that a 44-year-old woman pleaded guilty to Aggravated Assault today, admitting that she placed her newborn baby in a toilet in January 2004 in Mount Ephraim, N.J.

Sentencing for Denise Winner is scheduled for Aug. 4, 2006, before Superior Court Judge Irvin J. Snyder at the Camden County Hall of Justice in Camden. Winner faces up to five years in New Jersey State Prison under a plea agreement negotiated by Assistant Prosecutor David Deitz. The defendant remains free on $100,000 bail pending sentencing.

Winner gave birth to a baby girl at approximately 4 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2004, in her apartment on Mount Ephraim Avenue in Mount Ephraim. She admitted today that she placed the newborn into the toilet and closed the lid. She admitted she knew the baby was alive because she heard movement inside the toilet.

A few minutes later, the defendant’s live-in boyfriend heard faint crying sounds emanating from the toilet, investigation indicated that. He lifted the lid and found the child, whose head was not submerged. The boyfriend then wrapped the baby in a shirt and towel and called 911.

The baby was rushed to the hospital. Her temperature had dipped to 91 degrees (a previously reported temperature of 82 degrees was incorrect), but rebounded quickly. The girl was placed into foster care through the state. She has since been adopted and is reportedly doing well in all aspects, Lynch stated.