A baby girl was discovered deceased at a waste facility in Utica, New York, on Wednesday morning, according to local authorities.
The Utica Police Department arrived at the Oneida Herkimer Solid Waste Authority facility shortly before noon after employees found the infant in the sorting area. Upon making the grim discovery, the workers halted operations and contacted emergency services.
During a press conference the following day, police confirmed the infant’s identity as a baby girl and appealed to the public for assistance in uncovering how she ended up at the facility. Utica Police Captain Mike Curley mentioned that they are actively trying to locate the child’s mother.
“Most of us have young children and know what it’s like to witness a birth. Having to confront this… it’s unsettling, and investigations like this take time,” Curley remarked. He also expressed concern for his officers who have to deal with the emotional toll of such situations.
The investigation is being carried out in collaboration with the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as the waste facility serves multiple counties, complicating the inquiry.
The Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
Authorities stressed that no detail is too small to report, noting that seemingly unrelated information could be crucial in piecing together a timeline or understanding the tragic circumstances of this case.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to reach out to the Utica Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (315) 223-3556 or provide an anonymous tip through Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers.
New York’s Safe Haven Law allows parents to legally surrender babies up to 30 days old at designated locations such as hospitals, fire stations, and police stations.
