Hite will return to Colorado to face trial for death of newborn

PALMER — A 22-year-old Wasilla woman will be extradited to Colorado to face charges related to the death of her newborn son.

Gov. Sarah Palin today signed a warrant of extradition to return Morgan Hite to Colorado following a request from Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter received Tuesday.

When she returns to Grand Junction, Colo., Hite will face a first-degree murder charge that she killed her baby boy shortly after birth and placed his remains in a plastic bin in her parents’ home there. According to a Colorado arrest warrant affidavit, Hite’s family discovered the baby’s remains two months later. Coroner reports indicate the baby was born alive.

A statement from Palin’s office says the next step for Hite will be a hearing in Palmer court to be served with the governor’s warrant. Her attorney will then have a period of time, usually 5 days, to determine if the paperwork is in order.

If convicted in Colorado, Hite could face the death penalty.

For more on this story, see Friday’s Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman newspaper.