Police Seek Mother of Dead Newborn

Los Angeles police Wednesday sought help locating the mother of a newborn girl found dead inside a garbage bin in Wilmington last week.

The infant, described by police as Latino or Anglo and weighing 5 pounds, was found about 5:30 p.m. July 18, in an alley behind the 1100 block of North Broad Avenue, said Capt. Charlie Beck of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Juvenile Division.

He said the child appeared to have been born healthy.

Beck said an investigation would be conducted to determine whether any charges would be pursued against the child’s mother, if she is found.

“Obviously, the maximum charge could be homicide,” he said, “but other factors could be involved.”

Authorities said a preliminary report from the Los Angeles County coroner’s office indicated the baby may have been born the same day it was found. The cause of death won’t be known until the coroner’s office completes an autopsy.

Police said two Wilmington residents believed to be unrelated to the mother or child were searching for recyclable items when they looked inside the trash bin and found the body. The baby was inside a tattered green and white bag, which also contained a baby spoon and two pens.

Beck said the death was especially tragic because a new state law allows any parent to leave an unwanted baby at a hospital within three days of its birth.

Anyone with information may call the LAPD at (818) 756-8748 during regular business hours or (213) 485-2504 after 5 p.m.