Newborn found dead in trunk after mother arrives at Pittsburgh hospital without it
An investigation is underway after a newborn was found dead in the trunk of a car on Pittsburgh’s North Side on Friday night.
According to Pittsburgh Public Safety, a woman from Ohio Township arrived at a Pittsburgh hospital after giving birth, but without her baby. She left the hospital against the advice of doctors, according to police.
When she was questioned about the infant’s location, Ohio Township police officers were led to a vehicle parked in the 1400 block of Federal Street. The infant was found in the trunk, wrapped in clothing and placed in a plastic bag.
Medics pronounced the infant dead at the scene.
Detectives went to a residence in the 100 block of Marshall Avenue where the woman was known to spend time. There, they found evidence that a baby had likely been recently born there.
The woman was being treated at a hospital and will be taken to police headquarters for questioning once she is medically cleared, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety.
Allegheny County medical examiners took possession of the infant’s body and will determine the cause and manner of death.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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