Sevier County Woman Arrested in Death of Newborn Baby

A local woman faces a murder charge in the death of her newborn baby.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, 24-year-old Stephanie M. Brown, of Sevierville, has been charged with 1st degree murder for allegedly smothering her baby shortly after giving birth.

Brown brought her deceased newborn infant to LeConte Medical Center on Jan. 14, 2016, where medical staff confirmed the child was dead and notified authorities.

An autopsy performed by the Regional Forensic Center in Knoxville determined the baby was born alive and did not die from natural causes. Investigators interviewed Brown on March 22 and she reportedly confessed to placing her hand over the mouth and nose of her baby for several minutes in order to kill the infant.

She is being held in the Sevier County Jail on $1-million bond.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.