Police in Texas need the public's help identifying a baby whose body was found in the back of a trash truck. The infant was found around 9:30 a.m. August 13 in the 13200 block of Fountaincrest Court in the Chimney Hill neighborhood. It is unclear where the baby came from, but police hope to find the infant's family.
The Harris County Sheriff's office addressed the media in a news conference on Wednesday afternoon. The infant was discovered by a sanitation worker who was repacking the trash and contacted police. Investigators have released few details but want anyone with information to come forward.
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The infant's age is unclear.
Homicide Sergeant Sidney Miller told the media during the news conference that the newborn could have been anywhere from a day to 30 days old. A worker repacking the trash made the gruesome discovery. "That's when they discovered the infant in the bottom of the trash can," Miller said. He gave no information about the baby's race or gender.
Investigators plan to comb the neighborhood.
Miller emphasized that it is unclear whether the baby came from a home in the neighborhood or whether the newborn was driven there and dropped off. At this point, they don't' know who the parents are and asked anyone with information to "please come forward."
The discovery shocked neighbors.
ABC 13 spoke to people living in the neighborhood, and they couldn't believe what they heard.
"It came up on the screen, and my jaw dropped," Cheryl Boen told the news station. "I came out here to see what was going on."
Neighbor Germany Scott, who is pregnant with her third child, said she sat still for a moment when she heard the news.
"There are multiple things you can do if you don't want a baby," Scott said. "An innocent baby doesn't deserve to be in the trash can."
The Baby Moses Law protects parents and babies in Texas.
An infant born in Texas may be surrendered at a designated place, no questions asked, if the baby is unharmed and less than 60 days old.
According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website, "If you have a newborn that you're unable to care for, you can bring your baby to a designated safe place with no questions asked. The Safe Haven law, also known as the Baby Moses law, gives parents who are unable to care for their child a safe and legal choice to leave their infant with an employee at a designated safe place—a hospital, fire station, free-standing emergency centers or emergency medical services (EMS) station. Then, your baby will receive medical care and be placed with an emergency provider."
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Police want anyone with information to contact the sheriff's office.
Those with information may call the Harris County Sheriff's Office at 713-274-9100. Anonymous tips are welcome at Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS.
