Bond adjusted for woman accused in 1981 death of newborn

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A judge has given a Sioux Falls woman accused in the 1981 death of her newborn a better chance at leaving jail as she awaits her trial.

Second Circuit Court Judge Susan Sabers changed Theresa Bentaas’ $250,000 cash bond to $250,000 cash surety Tuesday. It gives Bentaas the chance to work with a bail bondsman to get out of jail.

The 57-year-old Bentaas is accused of leaving her newborn in a ditch after giving birth in her apartment 38 years ago. Police said they used DNA and genealogy sites to determine she was the mother of the infant, called Baby Andrew. The child died of exposure.

Bentaas has been held in the Minnehaha County jail on first- and second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter charges since her March 8 arrest.