Infant Found Dead In Trash Bin

INDIANAPOLIS -- An infant's body was found in a large trash bin behind a vacant building on Indianapolis' north side early Monday afternoon, prompting an intense police investigation.

Indianapolis police Sgt. Matt Mount said a couple who were digging through the bin in search of scrap metal came across the body near the top of the full bin.

They went to a nearby business and had someone call 911 at about 12:10 p.m.

Investigators said they aren't sure if the infant was stillborn, full-term or premature.

Police are investigating the death, but said it is possible the infant was dead when it was born and had been disposed of improperly.

"I think if you don't call anybody and ask for help, you're not going to get help," said Deputy Mayor of Neighborhoods Olgen Williams. "So you can call the police, you can call the fire department, you can call 211. There's help for people who need help before they make a bad decision."

The entire trash bin was transported to the crime laboratory for further investigation. Records showed that the bin had been placed on the property on Sept. 10.

Police didn't release information about the race or gender of the baby. The Marion County Coroner's Office will rule on the cause of death.

The Indiana General Assembly passed the state's Safe Haven law in 2000 that allows women to drop off an unwanted infant with a firefighter, police officer or medical professional without fear of prosecution.

"There's a mother out there that was recently pregnant or had a baby and now doesn't," said Indianapolis police Sgt. Matt Mount. "We need her to contact us."