Dead infant is found buried at southwest Houston site

An infant was found buried on a southwest Houston property Thursday after a 17-year-old went to the hospital the day before for pain and told staff about the child’s birth and burial, according to HPD.

HPD Assistant Chief Chandra Hatcher said staff at a hospital contacted police about 6:30 a.m. Thursday regarding a possible death of an infant. Authorities went to a site in the 3500 block of Darlinghurst.

“They did unearth a very fresh patch of ground and did identify and locate an infant child at the location,” Hatacher said.

The assistant chief said police spoke with a 17-year-old girl who told them she’d given birth and went to a hospital, after she’d continued to have abdominal pains.

Hatcher said the girl “notified medical staff at that hospital of the birth as well as the burial” when she went to a hospital for the pain. The staff contacted law enforcement Thursday morning, according to Hatcher. Authorities have not identified the hospital.

Hatcher said authorities were not sure whether the baby was stillborn, but they’ve received information the child possibly was.

An autopsy is planned, Hatcher said, adding that the police department homicide division is investigating.

Hatcher also advised that the Baby Moses law — which allows people to turn over a baby to locations including a fire station or hospital — remains in effect.

“So for anyone who may be in a similar situation, that is always an option, and we highly recommend that they take that option,” she said. “We are continuing our investigation and we’ll conduct a thorough investigation with sensitivity to those involved.”

Regarding whether the mother is facing charges, Hatcher said in the briefing authorities are early in the investigation and don’t know.

Police say the mother is believed to live in the area, and family and friends were not aware the girl — who was about 25 weeks along and not showing yet — was pregnant.