SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, Calif. — The family of a Lodi woman spoke for the first time after a newborn baby was found dead in a parking lot.
On Tuesday, 29-year-old Kathryn Copeland made her first court appearance and was appointed a public defender.
Her family was there in support and to shed light on why Copeland may have left the baby in the parking lot.
Copeland appeared at the San Joaquin County Superior Court in Stockton Tuesday wearing an orange jumpsuit and seemed confused when asked questions.
"You do have a right to an attorney. What would you like to do in this case today?" asked the judge.
"What do you mean?" Copeland responded.
Copeland is facing new charges after being accused of abandoning a newborn found dead near a business off Sacramento Street in Lodi.
Lodi police said her charges changed from homicide to a misdemeanor.
Police said an autopsy was performed but it was undetermined whether or not the baby was alive at the time of birth.
"Although it outraged our community and broke the hearts of our community that a full-term baby girl was found in the street of Lodi, we must be directed by our duty and only file charges that we can prove. Today, we file the charge of 152 of the penal code, which is concealment or attempted concealment of evidence of a death, of an accidental death," said Beth O'Hara, the Chief Deputy DA of Homicide.
Copeland's aunt, Donna Jenkins, who helped raise her, was also in court.
She shared photos of Copeland when she was younger. She said her niece had been homeless for a few years and that she has a history of mental health and drug addiction issues.
"They're mentally ill on the streets, and my poor niece to go through this and not understand what was going on and just to be blasted all over. She used to be somebody very loving, very beautiful, very smart. (She) graduated early, and it's just not fair," Jenkins said.
Jenkins said people witnessed her niece in labor, but instead of calling for help, they posted videos of it on social media.
She now hopes Copeland will get the assistance she needs.
"If anything good can come out of this, I hope that she gets the help she needs with mental health and the drug rehab help that she needs cause she's certainly not getting it. It's sad to say from where she should be getting it," Jenkins said.
Jenkins said this isn't the only case of this kind, and she's asking for people to lend more help for people battling drug addictions and mental health issues.
Copeland's public defender requested a mental health evaluation. Her next court appearance was set for Friday at 8:30 a.m. Her bail was set at $15,000.
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