Dead Newborn Found In Dumpster At Roseville Recycling Center
ROSEVILLE (WWJ) - Police in Roseville have launched an investigation after the body of a newborn baby was found inside a dumpster.
The discovery was made around 11 p.m. Wednesday at the ReCommunity Recycling Center on Groesbeck Highway, between 12 and 13 Mile roads.
Workers told police they were sorting different forms of recyclables when a bundle came down the sort line.
"When the workers opened the bundled to ascertain the contents, they were shocked to find a newborn baby," police said in a statement.
The baby, a Caucasian male, is estimated to be between one- and three-days-old. Police said the child had no visible signs of trauma and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
Roseville police tell WWJ they have been contacted by Meridian Township police regarding the case. Detectives are collaborating to ascertain if the baby found in Roseville could perhaps be the missing child of Melissa Mitin, who is accused of killing her newborn daughter in 2013.
While awaiting trial on murder charges, Mitin allegedly became pregnant again. She is believed to have given birth to a boy in late December, although the baby has since disappeared. When asked by a judge during a court appearance on Tuesday on the whereabouts of her newborn son, Mitin allegedly said she "could not recall."
Detectives from both departments are now collaborating to ascertain if the baby found in Roseville could perhaps be Mitin's missing child. They are working to get a DNA match in the case.
Due to the condition of the body - it could be days before the Macomb County Medical Examiner can perform an autopsy and determine the cause of death of the infant.
An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 586-775-2100.
Authorities are reminding the public that Michigan has a "safe haven" law -- which allows parents to safely surrender their newborn child, no more than 72-hours-old, to an employee who is inside and on duty at any hospital, fire department or police station, or by calling 911. This program is a safe, legal and anonymous alternative to abandonment or infanticide, and releases the newborn for placement with an adoptive family.