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A Wasilla mother is charged with murder in the death of her newborn son.

"What a tragedy. And we're sorry to report such news. We are at least relieved that we do have the mother in custody," said Chief Bill Gardner of the Grand Junction Police Department.

Now behind bars in Wasilla is 22-year-old Morgan Hite.

The story started several weeks ago in Grand Junction, Colorado. Police in Grand Junction say, Hite secretly gave birth in the bathtub alone, while visiting her father and stepmother on February 25, 2008.

Charging documents reveal Hite put the baby in a plastic bag and then inside a tote bag and hid it in a closet in her parents' home. Hite's parents contacted police after a foul smell led them to the grim

Morgan Hite
discovery on April 29, 2008--two months after the birth. They told authorities they were shocked.

Charging documents reveal their daughter admitted to them she had been pregnant with her second child, but told them she had already given birth and gave it up for adoption before she came to Colorado. Hite told investigators she left Colorado shortly after the birth. When asked to describe the newborn, she said the baby was born blue and never made a sound.

"Dr. Kirshman is one of the preeminent forensic pathologist in the entire country. And it is his opinion that baby was born alive. That's why he has ruled the case a homicide. And that is the basis of my decision to file criminal charges," said Pete Hautzinger of the Mesa County D.A.

Hite was in court Wednesday in Wasilla. A judge made it clear to her the charges she now faces include murder in the first-degree.

Detectives from Colorado have been in Alaska for more than a week. They tracked Hite down Tuesday and arrested her in Wasilla, her hometown.

Police have talked to the men she says could be the father of the baby. Both say they knew nothing about the secret birth or pregnancy. The charging documents go on to say that Hite's parents were

given no clues as to their daughter's secret birth. In fact, they report she was out shopping with them the same day and even went snowboarding several times the days following the birth.

The judge has given Hite 30 days to decide if she'll fight extradition back to Mesa County. Her next court hearing will be June 6, 2008.

To contact Laura, call 907-273-3186.