Trial continues into third week for teen accused of killing newborn

In week three of Maribel S.’s trial her defense attorney called, Dianna Lynn Barnes, a psychotherapist, to talk about if Maribel was in a state of denial when she gave birth.

The Santa Maria teen is charged with the murder of her newborn son, Anthony, earlier this year.

The expert says Maribel did appear to have pregnancy denial. She says in some cases women can appear to be absent of any symptoms and acknowledge the pregnancy in a delusional way thinking it may be a tumor or alien in her body.

Barnes says this can appear in women who can’t cope well or have theme of abandonment and history of chronic trauma.

She says she interviewed Maribel back in April and noticed her to be very child like and depressed. During the interview the expert says Maribel’s relationship with her parents seemed strained.

She says when she asked Maribel about her giving birth she said she felt as if she were in a dream.

During the cross examination, the prosecutor, challenged Maribel’s pregnancy denial by pointing out that during an interview Maribel described symptoms consistent with being pregnant.

The prosecution told the court Mairbel went on-line and googled about having a miscarriage.