Authorities in Virginia launched a death investigation after local residents discovered a “late-stage fetus” in a pond.
The Leesburg Police Department said in a press release that area residents called police around 4:30 p.m. Monday after discovering the infant’s body in a pond behind Park Gate Drive in Leesburg. .
Emergency services later responded to the scene, which has been secured for further investigation, but police said it was “treating the incident with the utmost seriousness and care”.
“This is a very tragic situation,” Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat said in a statement. “We are asking anyone with information to come forward, not only to support our investigation, but also to ensure that appropriate medical care and services are provided to those in need.”
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A dead fetus was found Monday in a pond in Leesburg, Virginia. (Leesburg Police Department)
The body was taken to the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy, police said.
The Ministry stresses that confidentiality will be respected and treated with sensitivity, and urges anyone with information about this incident to come forward.
They also said there are resources available to “people who may find themselves in dire situations, including the option to safely and anonymously surrender a newborn baby under the Virginia Safe Haven Act.”
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Police said the investigation “is being conducted with the utmost seriousness and care.” (Leesburg Police Department)
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Tips can be submitted to the Leesburg Police Department via its non-emergency number at 703-771-4500 or the anonymous tip line at 703-443-TIPS (8477). You can also email PoliceInvestigations@LeesburgVA.gov.
This incident is still under investigation.
