American teenager arrested in connection with dead child found in baby box

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Warning: This story contains explicit content.

An Idaho teenager has been arrested in connection with the body of a newborn found last month at a hospital in a box intended for people to anonymously give up their newborn, police said Friday.

The Blackfoot Police Department said in a social media post that an 18-year-old man from Twin Falls, about 130 miles southeast of Boise, was arrested there and booked into the Bingham County Jail.

She was arrested on a warrant for failing to report the death to law enforcement officials and the coroner, police said.

The firehouse has a Safe Haven Baby Box installed.
The firehouse has a Safe Haven Baby Box installed. (CBS News)

Blackfoot police responded to a report Oct. 13 of a deceased baby left at Grove Creek Medical Center.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes founder Monica Kelsey said hospital staff immediately responded to the alarm indicating the baby was in the box and realized the baby had died before being placed inside.

Idaho law only allows the surrender of a child who is unharmed.

“The Safe Haven Baby Box is intended to safely and anonymously allow custodial parents to surrender a newborn under the age of 30 days without legal consequences, provided the child is unharmed,” police said in a social media post.

“Unfortunately, the placement of an injured or deceased child is not protected by this system or Idaho law.”

The baby was wrapped in a blanket and the placenta was still attached, Kelsey said earlier.

Police said they are not releasing additional information in part because more charges could be filed.

The Red Nose Bereavement and Loss Support Line is available 24/7 for anyone affected by pregnancy loss, stillbirth or the death of a baby or child on 1300 308 307.

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