Two charged after cops find dead baby
WORCESTER — A man and woman were arrested after cops responding to a complaint of a suspicious odor from a garbage bag found the body of a newborn baby in it.
Edwin Santiago, 31, and Jennifer Rheaume, 36, who both live on Lake Avenue near where the body was found, were charged with concealing the death of a child and removal of a body. They were also charged with trespassing for walking on railroad tracks away from where police found the baby’s remains.
The two are due to appear for arraignment today in Worcester District Court.
Police were called yesterday after neighbors on Lake Avenue reported a strong odor coming from the bag that was initially at 375 Lake Ave.
The neighbor told police he feared what the bag may contain.
“He said that he observed a bag with an unusual odor and was worried about what was inside,” police said.
But when cops arrived they found that bag behind 384 Lake Ave.
“Behind the property in the woods, they located a garbage bag emitting a strong odor,” a police statement said. “Inside the bag, officers located a newborn baby that had passed away.”
Cops spotted Santiago and Rheaume walking away from Santiago’s home — near where police they found the bag.
“While the officers were present, they saw behind the property on the railroad tracks a male and a female walking on the tracks,” police said. “It is illegal to walk on the railroad tracks, so the male and female were placed under arrest. ... As a result of the investigation, they are both charged in connection with the crime, connection with the incident involving the baby.”
Police from the Detective Bureau and Crime Scene Unit responded, secured the scene, and interviewed witnesses. A large white van marked “Evidence Unit” was parked inside a perimeter where a crime scene had been set up on Lake Avenue. A man in a white apron, with white booties covering his shoes walked out of the home carrying brown paper bags and placed them in the van.
Police said that the Department of Children and Families has been notified of the investigation. The cause and time of the infant’s death are still under investigation. Police added, “It is also unknown whether the baby was alive at the time of delivery.”
However at a press conference, police said they are calling the body that of a baby and not a fetus.
A medical examiner will determine the child’s cause of death and whether it is related to Santiago or Rheaume, police said.