Local : Garden Grove Girl Who Had Baby at School to Go to Juvenile Hall

A 15-year-old girl was expected to be released from a hospital into police custody today, a day after she gave birth to a baby boy who was found dead lying face down in a toilet in a girl’s high school bathroom, officers said.

While an autopsy was conducted this morning on the baby, Garden Grove police said the Santiago High School honor student could face manslaughter charges or worse in connection with the death.

“We’ll not really know for sure what we’ll do until after the autopsy,” said Garden Grove Police Lt. Chuck Gibbs. He added that, for now, “we’re handling it as a homicide.”

The girl, a sophomore whose name was not released because of her age, was arrested Tuesday for investigation of homicide. (Story, A1). The girl was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange and will be booked directly at Orange County Juvenile Hall upon her release, Gibbs said. He said authorities fear that the girl may run away if released into the custody of her family,

Santiago High School Principal Bob O’Higgins said he told the school’s 1,900 students of the tragedy this morning in brief remarks over the loudspeaker system.

“Basically I explained the tragedy and that there was an ongoing investigation and that I appreciate how they handled the situation,” he said.