KEARNS, Utah -- A mother from Kearns accused of trying to murder her newborn daughter will be allowed to visit the baby.
According to a court order from 3rd District Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills, one “goodbye” visit will be granted to Alicia Englert, 23, next week.
Englert was arrested in August after authorities said she threw her two-day old baby in a neighbor’s trash can.
“That’s a big deal. And they want to make sure that opportunity is provided when it is a safe situation,” said Liz Sollis, spokeswoman for the Division of Child and Family Services.
The visit will take place at a DCFS office in Riverton on Dec. 15. It cannot last longer than 90 minutes, according to the order, and will be terminated if DCFS supervisors feel it is in the best interest of the child.
According to Sollis, granting a visit to a parent, such as Englert, is not all that unusual.
“A parent still has rights,” she said. “Whether they are incarcerated, whether they are in their home or homeless, wherever they may be, they still have their rights, and they are still a part of that process when trying to determine the custody of a child.”
However, it is not clear if Englert’s custodial rights will be terminated by the courts, preceding or following the visit.
“I cannot speak to the specifics of this case,” Sollis said. “But the primary priority for our department is to make sure that child is safe when that visit is taking place.”
Englert was released on bail in October. As she left the Salt Lake County Jail, she spoke with FOX 13 about the case.
“I’m embarrassed, and I shouldn’t have,” Englert said.
When asked why she would have tried to get rid of the child, Englert told FOX 13 she was scared and suffers from a mental disability.
Based on Monday's motion, due to Englert’s good cause appearing, Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills allowed the goodbye visit under the following conditions:
-The visit will be supervised by the Department of Family and Child Services
-The visit will take place Dec. 15 at 1 p.m.
-The visit will take place at DCFS, located at 12537 S. Crossing Drive, in Riverton.
-The visit will last no more than 90 minutes
-Those attending will not discuss the criminal case
-The visit will be terminated at any time if DSFS supervisors feel it’s in the child’s best interest
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