Nicole Layman Charged With Murder of Daughter

PORT JERVIS – The 22-year-old Port Jervis woman who gave birth on the night of November 12, 2019 and dumped her newborn daughter unclothed in a parking lot where she died from exposure, has been arrested and charged with murder.

Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden said on Wednesday that the baby, named Sophia Grace Hadden by her grandmother, was born about seven months into the pregnancy.

Following an extensive investigation by Port Jervis and State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Nicole Layman was arrested, charged with murder and committed to the Orange County Jail without bail.

Nicole Layman
Nicole Layman

District Attorney David Hoovler said Layman has mental health issues, but said drugs were not involved in the case.

“I think the death has devastated the whole community,” said Worden.

Layman was living at the time with her boyfriend and his parents, the chief said.

If convicted of murder, Layman could face 15 to 25 years to life in prison. If convicted of manslaughter, she would face five to 15 years.

Mayor Kelly Decker said Sophia Grace “could have survived and could have lived.”