Newborn Found in Backyard Born Alive
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: July 31, 2008
The investigation continues today into the death of an infant in central
A preliminary autopsy report done this morning shows the baby was born alive – not still-born as the mother originally claimed.
It all started yesterday afternoon when an 18-year-old woman walked into a local hospital saying she had just given birth to a still-born baby boy, and left it in her backyard.
Police say they found the baby barely concealed in the backyard when they went to check it out.
During a press conference this evening, police revealed that the baby was alive at the time of its birth. However, the cause of death is unknown and so the mother is not being charged with any crime just yet. Police say they will continue to investigate this case as a suspicious death.
The mother does have another child, a 3-year-old daughter. She has been placed in a safe place by Family Protective Services. Her placement is temporary until they make further investigations with the mother.
The full autopsy results should come in the next few days. That is when police will decide if the mother is a suspect of a crime.
