June trial set for South Dakota woman in 1981 death of baby
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A June trial date is set for a South Dakota woman charged in the death of a newborn who was abandoned in a ditch in 1981.
Theresa Rose Bentaas was arraigned on murder and manslaughter charges Monday. Bentaas is being held on a $250,000 bond, and has pleaded not guilty.
The Argus Leader reports Bentaas spoke softly when she said she understood the charges against her. A trial date was set for June 10.
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Bentaas, now 57, was charged earlier in March. Police said they used DNA and genealogy sites to determine she was the mother of the infant, dubbed Baby Andrew.
According to a court affidavit, Bentaas told authorities she gave birth alone in her apartment and drove the baby to a cornfield ditch.
The baby died of exposure.
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Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com