Nicole L. Kipfmiller was sentenced Jan. 24 by Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran
Nicole L. Kipfmiller looks toward her family as she leaves Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran's courtroom after being sentenced to 8-15 years for the slaying of her newborn son. YPSILANTI -- A 20-year-old Williams Township woman ordered to serve prison time for the death of her newborn son has been transferred from the Bay County Jail to the Huron Valley Women's Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti, state Department of Corrections records show.
Nicole L. Kipfmiller was
Jan. 24 to concurrent terms of eight to 15 years for involuntary manslaughter and 80 months to 10 years for removal of a dead body.
pleaded no contest to both charges, meaning she accepted responsibility without admitting guilt.
Huron Valley is the only state facility to house female prisoners. Marcie L. Rousseau also is held there.
, a 34-year-old former Freeland teacher, is serving multiple concurrent sentences of one to two years and four to 15 years for 24 total counts of third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct with a 16-year-old male student in Saginaw and Midland counties.
Marcie L. RousseauThe 929-bed prison that opened in 1994 has 13 housing units for Levels I, II and IV prisoners, according to the state Department of Corrections website. The higher the security level, the greater the prisoner's assessed risk for being unmanageable or attempting escape.
Kipfmiller's security level is not posted.
The Huron Valley facility is equipped with 12-foot double fences, razor ribbon and a perimeter detection system, the state website indicates. Armed guards patrol the perimeter.
Educational, rehabilitative and re-entry programs are available, as are religious programs, psychological services and a law library.
A spokesman for the Department of Corrections could not be reached for comment today because of the ongoing snow emergency, said a prison administrator.
Kipfmiller, who received credit for 357 days already served, was transferred to the facility Monday. Her earliest release date is Jan. 31, 2018, state correctional records show. She could, however, remain behind bars until Jan. 31, 2025.
Authorities said Kipfmiller delivered the child Dec. 10, 2009, at the home where she lived with her mother on Flajole just west of Auburn. Bay County Sheriff's deputies found the infant's remains in a plastic box sealed inside a box that was discarded in a commercial trash container behind Mieske's Country Market, less than one mile from Kipfmiller's home.
Doctors at Mid Michigan Medical Center - Midland called police after Kipfmiller arrived at the emergency room there. Doctors treated her for hemorrhaging. Medical staff called 911 after discovering evidence that Kipfmiller had given birth. Doctors told investigators Kipfmiller gave unsatisfactory answers when they questioned her about the whereabouts of the child, Bay City Times archives show.
Bay County Assistant Prosecutor Nancy E. Borushko has said the investigation into the baby's death and disposal remains open and active. She would not reveal details of the probe.