Associated Press - September 14, 2009 2:35 PM ET

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - A Riverton woman is being held on a charge of first degree murder for allegedly strangling her newborn baby shortly after giving birth.

A Fremont County circuit court judge set bail at $500,000 on Friday for 21-year-old Lorene Quist Gines. The judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for Thursday.

Riverton police Sgt. Victor Matoon says Gines was alone when she gave birth to a baby girl in a camper on her mother's property.

Police say Gines told them the baby was born dead with the umbilical cord around its neck.

Police say a pathologist conducting an autopsy found a string tied around the infant's neck. The pathologist ruled the death a homicide.

A public defender in the case could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.

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