Former student indicted in newborn’s death

by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

former University student, the mother of an infant found dead in a campus dumpster May 2, faces charges of murder and removing or conveying a dead body, according to Renee Steese, a deputy first assistant in the Northwestern District Attorney's office. The charges came from a Hampshire County grand jury June 11.

     Jennifer L. Paluseo, 19, of Plymouth faces arraignment, probably next week, according to Steese. The charge of removing or conveying a dead body carries a maximum sentence of three years, Steese said.

     "This is a tragedy of great proportion," said Jo-Anne Vanin, dean of students. "The lives of a young woman and her family are irreparably changed. The entire campus is saddened with this news."

     Paluseo withdrew from the University in early May, according to Vanin.

     Campus workers discovered the body of a 9 lb. 3 oz. newborn baby in a Southwest residence hall on May 2, sparking an investigation by Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth D. Scheibel, UMass Police and State Police detectives.

     Paluseo was a resident of James House, an all-women's dorm in Southwest.