Woman With Skull in Luggage Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge

A Haitian woman who was found with a human skull in her luggage pleaded guilty Wednesday to illegally storing human remains.

Myrlene Severe, 30, a permanent U.S. resident, had originally been charged with smuggling a human head into the United States without proper documentation, failure to declare the head and transporting hazardous material in air commerce.

Severe could have faced up to 15 years in jail. Under a plea deal, she now faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

"She is glad that part of it is over," her attorney, Kenneth Hassett, told The Miami Herald. "She is anxiously awaiting the sentencing for closure. We are cautiously optimistic as to the result."

Hassett has said a misdemeanor conviction would less likely lead to deportation.

The remains were found when Severe arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in February from Haiti. She told authorities she intended to use it as part of her Voodoo beliefs.

Severe's sentencing is scheduled for July 28.

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