Heather M. Porzel accused of murder

Student's brother calls police after dog digs up baby in yard

A UA student is facing a first-degree murder charge after allegedly killing her newborn baby and burying it in the backyard of her parents' eastside home, police officials said.

Heather M. Porzel, an agriculture sophomore, was arrested March 9 on the charge of killing her newborn daughter just after birth, said Tucson Police Department Sgt. Marco Borboa.

Borboa said Porzel gave birth to the baby in the bathroom of the home and buried it a week later in the back yard.

Borboa said that on the night of March 9, Porzel's mother called 911 after her 18-year-old brother found that the family dog had dug up the newborn infant in the back yard of their home.

Borboa said an autopsy revealed that the baby was a healthy female with blond hair and 3 inches of umbilical cord attached to her belly.

Police said that, although the baby appeared to have been born healthy, they didn't know whether she was buried alive

"Although results from the autopsy didn't reveal how she died, it has been confirmed as a homicide." Borboa said.

Porzel was booked into Pima County Jail in lieu of an $800,000 bond.

On Friday morning, Pima County Jail officials said Porzel has declined interviews from all news reporters.

Porzel's mother declined comment over the phone yesterday afternoon.

Borboa said Porzel was arraigned last week.