Newborn Found Dead In Dustbin After Teenager Gave Birth, Investigation Underway

The body of a newborn was found in the dustbin of a home after his 15-year-old mother gave birth. Police launched an investigation into the circumstances of the baby boy's death in Wesham, Lancashire, in northwest England.

The teenager reportedly told officers she did not know she was pregnant until going into labor in the bathroom of her family's home. Police are awaiting the report from the autopsy to determine the cause of death.

According to police, the teenager most likely placed the baby’s body in the bin after she gave birth on Thursday. Both her parents were not at home at the time. The young girl was found by a relative, who immediately called emergency services. She was admitted to a hospital, where she spent two days under a doctor’s care.

"First and foremost my thoughts remain with all of those affected at this sad and distressing time," Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Willis, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team said, according to U.K.'s Metro.

"This is a sensitive and complex investigation and we remain at a relatively early stage of our enquiries... The circumstances around the baby’s death remain unclear and I would continue to appeal to anyone with information to come forward. If you have yet to speak to police and can assist with our enquiries please contact us," Willis said.

A Lancashire Police spokeswoman said no arrest had been made so far in the case.

Similar incidents have taken place in the past where bodies of newborn babies were dumped, usually by their parents.

In April, the body of a newborn baby was found dumped in a field outside Manchester, U.K. Police launched an investigation following the discovery. The incident took place in Heywood, Greater Manchester. The body was discovered by someone walking by who contacted police.

In May, the body of a newborn baby girl was found in a dustbin in the city of Durban in South Africa.

“Upon arrival, paramedics found the body of the newborn lying in plastic on the sidewalk. It is understood that the body had been taken out of the dustbin by a member of the public. Paramedics assessed the newborn and found no signs of life. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the girl and she was declared dead,” Russel Meiring, spokesman for medical emergency service ER24, said at the time.