HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) – A northwest Indiana woman has pleaded guilty to giving birth to a baby girl on a cruise ship in 2011 and hiding the infant under a bed, leaving her to die.

Alicia Keir of DeMotte entered the plea Wednesday in federal court to involuntary manslaughter. The 24-year-old told U.S. District Judge Rudy Lozano that she “should have gotten help.'' 

The (Munster) Times reports (http://bit.ly/1czKGoa ) that court records show Keir gave birth in her stateroom, wrapped the baby in a towel and hid her under the bed.

A cleaning crew found the baby dead the next day when the ship arrived at port in St. Maarten. Prosecutors say a doctor found the baby died from exposure and lack of care.

Keir is to be sentenced Aug. 20.