'Rubbish' baby woman admits father was 12-yr-old cousin

A woman who made headlines after abandoning her baby in a rubbish bin more than a decade ago and then said she had been raped is facing jail after admitting the father was actually her 12-year-old cousin.

Twyana Davis, who wrote a book and appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s TV show talking about her ordeal, faces up to 25 years behind bars after pleading guilty to rape in Columbus, Ohio.

Her admission that her now 10-year-old daughter was the result of a sexual relationship she had with her cousin when he was 12 means she was illegally having sex with a minor.

She had initially said she was raped at a party.

Davis, now 30, gave birth in November 1995 in her dormitory room at Ohio Dominican College and then wrapped the baby in clothing and plastic bags and left her in a bin.

She was convicted of child-endangering charges and placed on probation.

After that she wrote a book about her experiences, Sacred Womb, and appeared on TV shows including Oprah.

She also set up an organisation focusing on the prevention of teenage pregnancies and helping expectant mothers, and regained custody of her child in 2000.

Davis’s daughter’s DNA has been matched to the cousin, who is now 23 and in jail himself.

After her guilty plea at Franklin County Common Pleas Court today she was remanded in custody for reports ahead of her sentencing in July.

The minimum jail term she could face is five years, but she could get parole after three and a half years.

Her lawyer, Byron Potts, said: “She’s pretty much at peace with this.

“She came forward on her own and voluntarily gave all this information.

“She believes this is a blessing and that she will be able to help others by coming forward.”

Davis’ custody of her daughter is being reviewed by Franklin County Children Services.