A Dothan woman who could have gotten the death penalty for killing her newborn baby pled guilty to a lesser offense Friday.

20-year-old Shakira Thomas gave birth to a baby girl in July of 2005.

The infant's body was found a little more than a week later in a garbage bag behind her parent's home.

Thomas originally claimed the baby was still-born but later told police she watched the infant die.

Jury selection for her capital murder trial began Friday morning, but afternoon, Thomas pled guilty to murder instead.

Judge Lawson Little sentenced her to 20-years in prison.

Thomas has applied for probation.

A hearing to determine if she'll be allowed to avoid prison will be held May 15th.