Trial To Begin For Woman Accused Of Dumping Baby

Jury selection in the trial of a 22-year-old woman accused of drowning her newborn baby in Lake Pontchartrain is set to begin.

The trial of Ciara Craig, of Metairie, was scheduled to begin Tuesday in Gretna. Craig is charged with second-degree murder in the infant girl's death on Feb. 10, 2009. A conviction carries a mandatory life prison sentence without parole.

Defense attorney Morris Reed Sr. has said the infant was dead when dropped into the lake.

Assistant District Attorney Laura Schneidau has said an autopsy showed the baby drowned.

Authorities say Craig hid the pregnancy from her family and gave birth in her home before driving the infant to the lake and dumping her in the water.