Ohio cheerleader arrested after newborn baby found buried in back garden

An 18-year-old cheerleader has been arrested after the remains of a baby were found buried in the backyard of her Ohio home.

Brooke Skylar Richardson was charged with reckless homicide on Friday after evidence revealed the child was alive at birth.

Warren County prosecutor David Fornshell said the infant who died more than two months ago 'was not a stillborn baby'.

He continued: "Law enforcement is continuing to treat this as an active and ongoing investigation."

Warren County Sheriff's Deputy Brandi Carter wrote in the complaint that on or around 7 May 2017 Richardson "did recklessly cause the death of another, or the unlawful termination of another's pregnancy."

The child's remains were discovered following a tip off from a doctor's office Dayton Daily News reports.

Responding to the charges Richardson's lawyer Charles Rittgers has entered a not guilty plea on her behalf describing the teenager as a good student who worked with children and was planning to go to college at the University of Cincinnati.

"She didn't drink. She wasn't a partier or a smoker. By all measures a very good girl who helped children... She's by all means a very good person," Rittgers told the Dayton Daily News.

Rittgers also said Richardson helped children with disabilities at a cheer camp and worked at the YMCA with kids.

Officials are still waiting for the final report from the coroner regarding the death of the baby Mail Online reports.

Richardson faces one to five years in prison, if convicted.