Brooke Skylar Richardson was a typical teenage girl growing up in the small town of Carlisle, Ohio. She was popular, active in school, and a member of the cheerleading squad. However, her life took a tragic turn in 2017 when she became the center of a high-profile murder trial.
Born on February 4, 1999, Richardson was the daughter of Scott and Kim Richardson. She had one younger brother and was raised in a close-knit family. From a young age, she was involved in sports and was a talented cheerleader. She attended Carlisle High School and was a senior at the time of the murder trial.
In the spring of 2017, Richardson discovered she was pregnant, a fact that she hid from her family and friends. According to reports, she was concerned that the pregnancy would ruin her plans to attend college and pursue her dreams of becoming a neonatal nurse. Richardson had always struggled with her weight and appearance, and her pregnancy only added to her anxiety and stress.
On May 7, 2017, Richardson gave birth to a baby girl in the family's bathroom. According to prosecutors, she then killed the baby and hid the body in the trunk of her car for several days. Finally, she buried the baby in her family's backyard and lied to investigators about what had happened.
When the baby's remains were discovered, Richardson was charged with aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter, endangering a child, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse. Her trial was a media sensation and lasted for two weeks. Richardson's defence team argued that the baby was stillborn and that she had suffered from a condition called "pregnancy denial," which caused her to not fully comprehend that she was pregnant.
In September 2019, the jury found Richardson not guilty of murder, manslaughter, and child endangerment, but guilty of abuse of a corpse. She was sentenced to three years of probation and was required to attend counselling and complete 100 hours of community service.
The case remains controversial, with some believing that Richardson was unfairly targeted and others believing that she committed a heinous crime. Regardless of where one stands on the case, it is clear that Brooke Skylar Richardson's life will forever be marked by tragedy and loss. Since the trial, Richardson has kept a low profile and has not made any public statements. However, her case has brought attention to the issues of teenage pregnancy, mental health, and the pressure that young women face in today's society.