Sentencing scheduled for woman in 1998 infant death Eds: APNewsNow; Will be updated after 10 a.m. sentencing.

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) A woman who pleaded guilty to killing her newborn son in 1998 and leaving his body in a suitcase is being sentenced in federal court.

Dana Deegan pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge. She admitting leaving her newborn boy alone in her Mandaree home for about two weeks, then putting his body in a suitcase and leaving it in a ditch.

The sentencing hearing was delayed from February to allow time for a mental evaluation.

Federal Judge Daniel Hovland said earlier he was considering a longer sentence than the eight- to 10-year range under federal guidelines, because of the cruel nature of the crime.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-12-08 0928CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list