S.C. woman sentenced in death of newborn daughter whose remains she left in trash bag

LEXINGTON, S.C. (TCD) -- A 27-year-old woman will spend over two decades in prison for the death of her newborn daughter, whom she gave birth to in her vehicle before placing her body in a trash bag.

The South Carolina Solicitor's Office for the 11th Circuit announced Wednesday, May 8, that a judge sentenced Brennan Geller to 22 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections after she pleaded guilty to homicide by child abuse against her newborn, Kimberly Taylor. Geller will not be eligible for parole under state law.

According to the solicitor's office, in August 2018, a family member found the deceased infant inside a trash bag in Geller's Jeep Laredo. The Lexington Medical Center alerted the Lexington County Sheriff's Department about the discovery, and an autopsy later showed "air was present in the infant's lungs, along with other indications of a live birth."

The solicitor's office said doctors concluded the baby weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was born past 37 weeks gestation, so Taylor was full term.

Further investigation revealed that on Aug. 3, 2018, Geller reportedly left work early and went to the parking lot. At around 10:35 a.m., prosecutors said she searched "what to expect while in labor," and approximately nine hours later, Geller looked up, "When do contractions stop?"

Investigators determined Geller, who was a student at Midlands Technical College at the time, "secretly gave birth" in her car without any medical intervention.

According to the solicitor's office, Geller "repeatedly denied her pregnancy to friends and acquaintances, including her boyfriend," Edwin Taylor. On the night she gave birth, Geller allegedly informed her boyfriend that she was still at work even though she had left already.

After delivering the child, Geller reportedly cut the umbilical cord with a pair of scissors before putting her body in a trash bag. According to the solicitor's office, "Doctors would have testified at trial that suffocation could occur under these circumstances." The Lexington County Coroner ruled the infant's death a homicide.

After giving birth, Geller reportedly experienced complications and had to undergo treatment at the Lexington Medical Center, where she initially denied to medical staff and an investigator that she gave birth.

Officers reportedly searched Geller's Jeep and found scissors and towels used during Kimberly Taylor's delivery. According to the solicitor's office, medical experts believe the infant was healthy, and she didn't have apparent congenital defects.

Edwin Taylor reportedly spoke at the sentencing hearing and didn't know his girlfriend was pregnant until the investigation. Prosecutors said he fought for paternal rights so his daughter could have a "proper burial." Edwin Taylor named the baby.

According to the solicitor's office Edwin Taylor said, "I was never given the opportunity to hold her in my arms; I only get to hold her in my heart. It breaks my heart knowing that she's not here on earth right now with me making some of the childhood memories a father and daughter should be making at 5 years old."

MORE:

• Lexington County Woman Sentenced to Prison in Death of Newborn - 11th Circuit Solicitor's Office