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Infant found dead in bag near Phoenix business area
The infant, police officials say, was found in the area of 25th Avenue and Peoria. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause of death.
PHOENIX - At about 6:30 a.m. on May 28, Phoenix Police officers responded to an unknown trouble call for service in the area of 10800 North 25th Avenue, not far from Peoria Avenue.
When officers arrived at the location near a hotel close to Interstate 17, they were directed to a bag that had been found behind some bushes lining the roadway.
"Officers looked inside the bag and found the body of an infant," said Sgt. Mercedes Fortune. "Phoenix Fire personnel arrived, and the infant was pronounced deceased."
Fortune stated it is not clear how the infant died and that the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause of death.
Police will look at surveillance video to see who might have been in the area when the bag was left.
Group reminds people of Arizona's safe haven law
As the investigation continues, officials with the Arizona Safe Baby Haven Foundation are reminding the public that under Arizona law, people can anonymously leave a newborn at any hospital or fire station, no questions asked.
"You can give your baby to any staff member at any of those locations, which there’s typically one of those on every street corner," said Heather Burner, Director of the Arizona Safe Baby Haven Foundation.
Burner says currently, someone has three days to give up an unharmed baby. Burner says the mission is to prevent baby abandonment.
"Their life is in crisis, whatever that looks like for them at that moment, so oftentimes, when we can give them resources and support, we can avoid the tragedy that comes along with that crisis. So we offer parenting support, which may look like helping get a home because they’re homeless. It may look like getting recovery because there’s addiction issues. Then the next option would be adoption," said Burner.
Investigators want to speak with anyone who might have been in the area and seen something, Fortune said. If you have any information about this case, contact the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.