Newborn baby's remains found at Massachusetts trash facility
ROCHESTER - Disposal drivers making their deliveries at a Rochester recycling facility were met with gruesome news, that Thursday morning among the debris the remains of a newborn infant were found.
"One of the garbage trucks maybe, unfortunately people do stuff like that, it's a sad world," said driver Brian Waterman.
It was around 10:40 a.m. Thursday that workers at Harvey recycling facility, also known as Zero Waste Solutions, made the discovery of remains that have been treated like garbage.
"It's disgusting, no one wants to see it. It's hard to even talk about," said driver Damian Reposa.
Rochester police said in a Facebook post Thursday that "employees had found what appeared to be the body of a human baby in the recycling products." Processing at the facility stopped while police began their investigation.
For advocates like the group known as Baby Safe Haven it's sadder still that there is a low allowing newborns seven days old and younger to be surrendered without fear of prosecution.
"They could have taken the baby to a local hospital, fire station or police station and a staff member would take it in with no questioning. Keeping the mother or father completely anonymous," said Evelynroze, a spokesperson for the group.
This is the same facility on the Cranberry Highway where remains of an infant were found back in April. In that case, police said they believed the baby's mother may have had ties to Martha's Vineyard.
Advocates worry not enough is known about the law. "It is still growing and a lot of people in my generation and the younger generations are starting to advocate for it and make awareness for it," said Evelynroze .
The drivers said the news makes them think about what could be brought here on any given day. "It makes me uncomfortable, you never know what you're going to get in there and you don't know what's in there when you're dumping it either," said Reposa.
Rochester police received the 911 call and are working with Massachusetts State Police to try to identify the mother. The medical examiner will now determine the cause of death, while police urge anyone to come forward who may have identifying information.