Details of Plea Agreement Revealed for Mother of Baby Doe

WITZ News: Drew Hasselbring

Updated 11:45am February 19, 2026.

A minor at the time, the baby boy’s teenage mother gave birth in a bathroom stall at the Sisters of Saint Benedict Marian Heights Academy. According to the Affidavit for Probable Cause (obtained by WITZ through the Freedom of Information Act), the child was born alive. The mother left the crying baby in the water, retrieving a trash bag to throw him away. When she returned, he was no longer crying. 

The deceased baby was later found in a custodial closet by a janitor, Sylvia Spencer, when she was separating trash. As originally reported by Ferdinand News, after the autopsy in 1987, chief examiner Dr. George R. Nicholas said that the five-pound infant might have lived if he had received medical attention. He measured 18 inches and weighed 5.32 pounds and was almost full term. The baby was laid to rest in the St. Ferdinand Church cemetery. 

A statement released by the Sisters said: “The Sisters of St. Benedict cooperated fully during both the initial investigation into this tragic incident in 1987, and again when the case was reopened last year. Our community was profoundly saddened then and remains so today. We offer our deepest sympathy and prayers for all who have been affected by this tragedy.” 

In late 2025, the Dubois County Prosecutor's Office filed murder and voluntary manslaughter charges against the child's mother, identified as Alexandra Shurz Gewant. Dubois County Prosecutor Beth Schroeder agreed to offer a plea deal of voluntary manslaughter. The plea agreement stated, “Defendant shall be sentenced to six years at the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC), all suspended to six years of Supervised Probation, which shall be transferred to Defendant’s home state.” 

In Indiana, there is no distinction between first and second degree murder. Premeditated murder is defined as knowingly or intentionally killing another person. This includes felony murder, which is causing a death while committing certain violent felonies. A conviction carries a sentencing range of 45-65 years in prison, with 55 years being the advisory sentence. 

Schroeder emphasized, “This has always been about honoring the life of a child who could not speak for himself…Justice and compassion can walk hand in hand. Our responsibility is not only to pursue accountability, but also to recognize the difficult realities that may have led to this tragedy.” 

Since 1987, more resources have been made available for unplanned pregnancies. Safe Haven laws, which allow for the anonymous surrender of newborns, began in 1999. The first Safe Haven Baby Box was installed in Indiana in 2016, and the first surrender was in 2017. These temperature-controlled and alarm-equipped safe surrender devices are available at emergency locations like fire stations, hospitals, police stations, and EMS stations, and a map is available online. There is also a 24-hour crisis line at 1- 866-99BABY1.