Mother Sought After Newborn’s Body Discovered

Los Angeles homicide detectives have asked the public’s help in finding the mother of a dead infant found next to a trash bin early Monday.

The baby boy, with his umbilical cord still attached, was discovered in a cardboard box behind a popular student hangout north of the USC campus, a Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman said.

Under state law, a mother can turn over a newborn to any hospital or fire station with no questions asked if she does not want to keep the baby.

The mother in this case could face charges of murder, child neglect or other offenses, said Sgt. Catherine Plows.

“We want to find the mother [and] find out what happened,” she said.

Officers went to an alley behind a bar called The 29 at 29th and South Hoover streets about 12:30 a.m. after receiving an anonymous 911 call, which was later traced to a pay phone several blocks away in the 2600 block of South Vermont Avenue.

Police did not know whether the male caller had any connection to the child.

“He sounded very nonchalant,” Plows said. “He said there was a stillborn baby in this box.” The caller gave the box’s location and hung up.

“We’d like to talk to him,” she added. “Truly, the only clue we have is that call.”

Paramedics pronounced the child dead at the scene. He was full term and may have been of Caucasian or Latino descent, according to investigators.

The coroner was conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death and whether the infant was still alive when he was left next to the large commercial garbage bin. The body was wrapped in a towel.

California’s “safe surrender” law allows a parent to give up a child within 72 hours of birth by taking the child to a hospital emergency room or fire station.

“They can do it without fear of arrest or prosecution, as long as the child has not been abused or neglected,” Plows said. “No name or other information is required.”

Police asked anyone who might have information about the mother to call (213) 485-4220 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, (877) 529-3855.