Crime & Safety

Police: Homicide Ruled Cause of Death for Baby Found in Elmsford

A "full-term newborn" was discovered inside a bag at an Elmsford recycling facility, according to authorities.

Update, 4 p.m, Wednesday, by Tom Auchterlonie:

Westchester County police confirmed news reports about the baby's discovery and held a press conference at their station in Hawthorne.

According to Capt. Christopher Calabrese, the baby was found dead in a bag at a cardboard recycling plant in Elmsford on Tuesday, with an autopsy subsequently done. The Westchester County Medical Examiner's office ruled that the death was a homicide.

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There were items discovered with the infant that tie the case to Spring Valley, specifically at North Myrtle Avenue, according to Calabrese, who said the baby was newly born and was born alive.

It is believed that the baby was disposed of in a dumpster in Spring Valley, according to county police spokesman Kieran O'Leary. Police are withholding information about the specific way in which the baby was killed due to the status of the investigation.

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The investigation is being conducted by county police and Elmsford Police, according to O'Leary, with Spring Valley Police providing assistance and community outreach.

A $2,500 reward is being offered and people with information are asked to contact Crime Stoppers, whose number is 800-898-TIPS.

Police also want to reach out to the Hispanic community for help. The baby was identified as Hispanic, according to police.

Original Post, 2:29 p.m. Wednesday by Krista Madsen

This afternoon, Westchester County Police are offering an update on their investigation into a dead baby that was found in a bag on Tuesday in an Elmsford recycling facility.

According to ABC News, the baby was a full-term newborn who may have come from trash originating in Spring Valley in Rockland County.

“Westchester County Police confirm a worker at Brookdale Recycling made the gruesome discovery around 3 p.m., pulling the bag from a machine that felt strangely heavy and finding the body inside,” ABC News reports.

Police are treating the case as a homicide, with an autopsy scheduled for today.

Parents are protected from prosecution if they abandon their children in a safe manner approved by state law. According to the Abandoned Infant Protection Act, newborns up to 30 days old can be dropped off anonymously at “suitable” locations such as hospitals, and staffed police or fire stations.

Patch will have an update following the media briefing at County Police Headquarters in Hawthorne.


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