Law enforcement has charged a Taney County woman after her infant was found deceased inside a garbage bag in the trunk of her vehicle.

According to online court records, Hannah Wood, 22, of Branson, faces a charge of abandonment of a corpse in Taney County Circuit Court.
A probable cause statement alleges that on January 20, 2025, deputies forced entry into Wood’s vehicle near her family home and discovered the infant in the trunk. Investigators say Wood gave birth in a bathroom at the residence without notifying her family or seeking medical assistance.
Authorities report that Wood initially attempted to bury the infant in the yard and later placed the body in a garbage bag in the vehicle due to freezing temperatures. A friend encouraged her to seek medical care, and she went to the hospital without the child. Wood reportedly told hospital staff she had experienced a stillbirth and was unaware of the pregnancy.

Deputies began a search based on her statements and ultimately located the infant, described as full-term. An autopsy determined the baby weighed six pounds and showed no health issues. The cause of death was identified as intrauterine fetal demise. Toxicology findings indicated possible marijuana use during the pregnancy.

A search of Wood’s cell phone revealed internet searches in the days leading up to the incident related to birth, infant names, emergency labor, and miscarriage. On January 19 and 20, searches included topics such as how to handle a miscarriage at home, legality of disposing of a stillborn, and instructions on digging a hole.

Authorities state Wood did not contact her family or emergency services during labor. The Taney County Jail confirmed to Ozarks First that she was released on a $50,000 bond.