A woman accused of setting fire to her newborn baby girl in the middle of a residential road has been charged with murder.

A witness said that Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier, 22, of Pemberton Township, New Jersey, tried to run away from the scene on Friday night but was detained by residents in the area 30 miles east of Philadelphia.

Police were called and they put out the flames upon arriving at the scene. It is believed that the mother drenched the baby with a liquid fuel and then set her on fire, spokesman for the prosecutor’s office Joel Bewley said.

The child died two hours after she was flown to St Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia for severe burns, confirmed Mr Bewley.

Burlington County prosecutors said Ms Dorvilier remains in custody on a £331,000 ($500,000) bail. She was taken to Deborah Hospital in Brown Mills, New Jersey, and was then arrested, according to CBS Philadelphia.

Prosecutor Robert Bernardi said details of the baby’s birth were still being investigated. He would not comment on whether the mother had a criminal record or if she had been involved with child welfare services.

Dave Joseph, 45, of Pemberton Township told The Burlington County Times he saw a young woman get out of her car and light something in the middle of Simmontown Road.

He said the woman told him she was burning dog waste.

“It was just mind-boggling,” Mr Joseph said. “It was a nightmare even if you have a strong heart.”