FREEHOLD, New Jersey (CNN) -- Melissa Drexler, the former student accused of killing her baby during her high school prom last year, pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated manslaughter.

Drexler, 20, originally faced a murder charge with a minimum of 30 years in prison if convicted.

Instead, prosecutors on Thursday recommended that she be sentenced to no more than 15 years in prison.

Drexler would be eligible for parole in three or four years.

The deal was reached last month, but the hearing was postponed for undisclosed reasons.

Authorities say Drexler hid her pregnancy and unexpectedly delivered a boy at her senior prom in June 1997, leaving him in a bathroom trash bag.

Drexler's friends have said she thought the baby was stillborn. But authorities said she strangled the newborn.

For her to be found guilty of murder, a jury would have to believe that she killed the baby and was aware of what she was doing.

Related stories:

'Prom baby' mother pleads not guilty - October 27, 1997
Mother of 'prom baby' to be arraigned - October 25, 1997
Friend: Teen who gave birth at prom thought baby was dead - June 30, 1997
Teen charged with murder in prom baby death - June 24, 1997
Teens indicted for first-degree murder in death of infant - December 9, 1997

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