LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland Police said a woman who came forward in relation to a baby found in a dumpster on May 11 is charged with a misdemeanor count related to the storage of human remains.
Police said the 34-year-old woman who came forward told detectives she didn't know she was pregnant when she gave birth alone outside of her home early on May 10.
According to police, preliminary findings from the Medical Examiner's office show that the baby was born dead, never taking a breath, and had a severe brain deformity.
Police said there are no indications that homicide or foul play caused the infant's death.
The woman told police she didn't go to the hospital after she gave birth because she's in the country illegally, and she didn't want to get in trouble, and because she couldn't pay for medical bills.
The woman admitted she put the infant's remains in the dumpster on the evening of May 10. The infant's body was found the next morning by a man going through the dumpster.
The woman was charged with a misdemeanor count related to the storage, preservation and transportation of human remains.
Lakeland Police said DNA was collected from the woman to compare to the baby.
The Department of Homeland Security was contacted regarding the woman's immigration status, police said.
The investigation remains active
