MURRAY, Ky. — The case of a Murray State University student charged with the murder of her newborn baby has stunned the western Kentucky college community.

        At Murray, “there has been a great sense of shock, disbelief and surprise,” said Don Robertson, the university's vice president of student affairs. “There were those who knew she was pregnant, but they had no idea how far along she was,” he said.

        Angelita Turner is to be arraigned Monday in Calloway District Court on charges that she killed her daughter shortly after giving birth in her dorm room on Thursday. Kentucky State Police said the birth was discovered after Ms. Turner went to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

        The incident occurred less than a month after a state bill to grant immunity to parents who abandon newborn babies failed. Under that proposal, parents would have 72 hours from the time of birth to give up a child without legal liability.

        The baby was nearly at full term at the time of birth, said Chuck Robertson, state police spokesman in Henderson. Mr. Robertson said the state medical examiner's office conducted the autopsy, but he did not release its findings on the cause of death.

        Ms. Turner, 19, lived alone in her dorm room.

        After Ms. Turner went to Henry County Medical Center in nearby Paris, Tenn., seeking medical attention, social workers at the hospital alerted university housing officials of their suspicions that Ms. Turner had given birth.

        State police arrested Ms. Turner that same day after searching her room and finding the dead baby, said Mr. Robertson, the state police spokesman.

        Ms. Turner was initially charged with tampering with evidence. Robertson said Commonwealth's Attorney Gail Cook decided to charge Ms. Turner with murder Tuesday after the results of the autopsy were complete.

        Ms. Turner is jailed with bond set at $50,000.

        Dr. Mark LeVaughn, a forensic pathologist who works at the state medical examiner's office in Madisonville, said in an interview with The Courier-Journal that the baby was born alive.

        “This was a normal, viable newborn,” Dr. LeVaughn said. He declined to elaborate on the autopsy findings and referred further questions to criminal investigators.

        Murray State's Robertson said pregnant students have access to counseling and health care. He said there is always a nurse at the student health center, as well as psychologists and counselors for students in crisis.

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