Fox 19

18-year-old Brooke “Skylar” Richardson gave birth to a full-term baby in May. Just a few hours later, that infant was killed, burned and buried in Richardson’s backyard, Warren County Prosecutor Dave Fornshell says.

The cheerleader from a family “obsessed” with outward appearances was indicted Friday on charges including aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. The charges come after investigators discovered the charred, decomposing remains of the baby on July 14.

Authorities may never know the child’s exact cause of death due to the significant decomposition of the remains that took place between the birth and the time officials dug up the infant bones two months later, Fornshell said.

The prosecutor said Richardson delivered her baby less than 48 hours after attending her senior prom May 5. She then “purposely” caused its death, officials allege.

Investigators believe the baby was alive only for a few hours.

Investigators started digging in the backyard of the Eagle Ridge Drive home after Richardson’s doctor alerted police to a suspicious situation. The coroner determined the baby had been born alive, but was not able to determine the sex because of the condition of the remains.

A baby wasn’t an “acceptable outcome” for a college-bound girl living with intense family pressure to maintain her image, Fornshell said.

“I think the evidence supports that Skylar and her family, particularly her mother, were pretty obsessed with external appearances and how she appeared to the outside world,” Fornshell said when asked about a motive.

The mother perpetuated a “good girl” image for her daughter, the prosecutor said.

He declined to elaborate whether Richardson’s mom knew about an alleged plot to kill the baby, but said the mother and daughter shared a “particular dynamic” that will be revealed in the trial.

Richardson apparently tried to hide her pregnancy, but Fornshell described a strong suspicion among some community members.

“She’s 38 to 40 weeks pregnant at the prom, which is two days before this happens, wearing, you know, fairly tight attire. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that she might be pregnant,” Fornshell said.

Richardson’s attorney described her as a good girl who worked at the YMCA with children with special needs.

Police arrested Richardson on Friday.

She was set to attend University of Cincinnati in the fall.

Fornshell, who described himself as “extraordinarily pro-life,” used the situation to remind the public about the safe haven law, which allows a parent to drop a child off at a police department, fire station or hospital.

Enquirer partner Fox 19 provided this report.