Defense Attorney Wants New Autopsy of Baby Found in Toilet

The publicly appointed defense attorney representing the woman accused of killing her newborn baby in a bathroom at Starters Pub in Lower Saucon Township is requesting that a second autopsy of the baby be performed by forensic pathologist Dr. Supriya Kuruvilla, the Morning Call reported Wednesday.

Amanda Hein, 27, of Allentown has been accused of giving birth in secret and suffocating the baby inside the pub's women's restroom on Aug. 18, before returning to a table to watch pay-per-view wrestling.

The Morning Call also reported that the request for another autopsy wasn't a surprise, since the baby was originally called a "fetus" by authorities investigating the case, and the viability of the infant could be argued during Hein's trial.

Hein, who is being represented by Northampton County Chief Public Defender Michael Corriere, could face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder.

The Express-Times reported Wednesday that Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said he will not oppose a separate autopsy of the baby by the defense.

Photo: Amanda Hein, 27, of Allentown, has been charged with murdering her newborn baby inside a bathroom at Starters Pub in Lower Saucon Township (file photo).