A baby that was born prematurely during Hurricane Irma was found dead in his mother’s car last week, as reported by PalmBeachPost.
The newborn was discovered four days after his birth, last Thursday. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) records allege that the child’s mother went to a West Palm Beach, Florida, hospital after she began bleeding.
Authorities got involved after hospital staff learned the unidentified woman had given birth. The woman claims the child was born alive, the local paper reports.
State officials have not disclosed exactly where the car was located. DCF recorded the child’s date of death as September 10.
Records from the same Florida hospital indicate that the pregnant woman was between 29 and 33 weeks along just one month before giving birth.
Authorities claim that DCF had no prior contact with the mother and the infant. However, redacted documents reveal that the agency was looking at the family for reasons that have not been released.
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While the Medical Examiner’s Office has completed an autopsy, they are awaiting toxicology results to determine if the baby was born alive or died while under his mother’s care. From there, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will decide whether to file criminal charges.
This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with CrimeOnline for additional information as it becomes available.
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