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Newborn Found In Recycling Center Laid To Rest In Clinton Township

CLINTON TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - A newborn whose body was found at a Roseville recycling center is being laid to rest Wednesday. The boy's mother, 24-year-old Angela Alexie, has been charged with child abuse and murder.

Police and fire honor guard stood along side strangers during an emotional graveside service for Henry Alexander Macomb at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township.

baby funeral
(credit: Marie Osborne/WWJ)

Lieutenant Bob Woonton of the Roseville Fire Department was there the day the baby found. "None of us could sleep that night," he said.

"Hopefully this is a reminder that there is a law out there that you can drop the baby off at your local police, fire or EMS or even hospital after 72 hours," said Woonton.

Police say Alexie gave birth on December 22 in an Eastpointe garage and left the baby to die.

Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon says the death of this infant touched everyone in the community.

"We've had people from out-of-state calling offering donations - asking what they can do to help and people who are really looking to adopt babies, so sad that this baby got away and now he is one of God's," said Cannon.

Morgue employees named the unidentified infant Henry Alexander Macomb, after Macomb County's namesake, General Alexander Macomb.

In February, a judge said Alexie created a high probability of death after giving birth in an Eastpointe garage. An autopsy revealed the infant died two days after birth, likely from exposure to cold weather.

The body was found at a recycling center in nearby Roseville on Jan. 14.

Defense attorney Steve Kaplan said that he believes she didn't purposefully kill the newborn.

Kaplan said that Alexie is distraught about her son's death.

Four prosecution witnesses were enough to establish probable cause on February 20 for Alexie to be bound over on both felony murder and first-degree child abuse charges. Alexie admitted the child was hers, but said that she did not leave the boy in a recycling container.

Alexie is charged with a form of first-degree murder that carries a sentence of life in prison. Alexie will be back in court on April 28.

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