The 18-year-old mother of a baby found inside a dumpster who was later pronounced dead at a hospital has been detained in connection with the investigation, law enforcement sources told NBCLA.
According to police, the baby, believed to be between 4 to 6 months old, was found in the trash Monday night just steps away from an elementary school near 52nd Street and Holmes Avenue. Police say a woman was taking out the trash at around 10:30 p.m. at the Pueblo del Rio housing complex when she found the baby.
The woman, who was with her daughter at the time, said she saw a black cloth bag inside the trash. When she looked inside, she said she saw a baby that was fully dressed and had gloves on.
The woman said she thought it was a doll, but after calling another neighbor and confirming it was a baby, they called 911.
Paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene at the 5200 block of Alba Street and transported the baby to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
A woman who believes the baby is her granddaughter said her foster daughter is the mother of the baby. LAPD sources have identified the mother as a person of interest in the baby’s death.
It was not immediately clear how the baby died.
Authorities are investigating the case as a homicide and child abuse investigation.
Safe Surrender law allows parents or guardians of newborns the choice to legally and safely surrender a baby at any hospital or fire station in Los Angeles County. Signed into state law in January 2006, the infant can be surrendered within 72 hours of birth, no questions asked.