Arizona Cops Desperate to ID Newborn Found Dead in Dumpster
Anyone with information is asked to call the Glendale Police.
— -- Authorities in Glendale, Arizona, are looking to identify a newborn boy that was found dead in a dumpster early this morning, officials said.
A homeless couple called 911 just after 12:30 a.m., reporting that they found the baby in a dumpster behind a shopping plaza, the Glendale Police Department said. Glendale is about 9 miles outside of Phoenix.
Responding officers discovered the baby was dead, police said.
It's believed the baby wasn't born in a hospital, according to police.
Sgt. Dave Vidaure of the Glendale police told ABC News today he couldn't recall a case like this in Glendale before.
It's unknown if the baby was born at full term or prematurely -- that will be determined by the medical examiner, Vidaure said.
He said it's also unknown if the baby was dead before or after it was placed in the dumpster.
"Our number one concern is to find out what circumstances led up to this newborn baby boy getting placed in the dumpster," Vidaure said.
Vidaure said the mother could face an array of charges, ranging from homicide to child neglect or child abuse.
Under Arizona's Safe Haven law, a mother can leave a baby up to 3 days old at a child welfare agency, adoption agency, fire station, or church, or with an on-duty hospital staff member or emergency medical service provider.
"Right now we're looking for answers for this newborn baby boy. That's our main concern," Vidaure said.
Anyone with information can call the Glendale police at 623-930-3000.