Cops: Mother drowned newborn, torched home

updated 3:14 a.m. ET July 30, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - An Illinois woman has been charged with first-degree murder, concealing a homicidal death and arson after prosecutors said she drowned her newborn baby and later burned down her own house.

Prosecutors allege 23-year-old Cayla Wheeler gave birth to the child on July 2, then apparently drowned him and hid the body in a hole in a wooded area outside the house.

They also allege that seven days later, she burned down the home she shared with her husband.

While investigating the fire, police learned Wheeler had recently been pregnant, wasn't any longer but had no child with her.

It was first thought the child was stillborn, but an autopsy determined the baby had been drowned. While searching through the rubble of the home, the body was found about 100 yards away.

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