Authorities call of baby search
By Mary Frances Czarsty, assistant news editor
Posted on February 1, 2007

HARRISONBURG  — Officials at the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office have called off the search for the body of an infant said to have been left in a dumpster late Thursday night.

“It got to the point where we had to realize the near-impossible probability of finding evidence that a coroner could evaluate,” said Felicia Glick, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.

The search for the body began early Monday morning at the Rockingham County Landfill, police said, after an unidentified 19-year-old woman told police she delivered the baby in a college dormitory bathroom and proceeded to place the infant in a dumpster.

Glick refused to say which college.

According to police, acquaintances of the mother went to Rockingham Memorial Hospital Sunday to assist the mother, but were unable to locate her. With their assistance, the mother was identified and agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

The woman told police the baby was wrapped in a bookstore bag before placing it the dumpster. Glick refused to comment as to whether or not the bag was from a college bookstore.

Glick said investigators realized after 21 hours of searching 30 square yards of trash compacted 8-feet deep by a piece of equipment weighing 18 tons that their search was “pretty limited.” Due to the biohazard risk, cadaver-locating dogs could not be used in the search.

Although the body was not recovered, police said investigators would continue to obtain information by conducting interviews and subpoenaing medical records.

Police said that as of now, it has not been established that a violent crime was committed. No charges have been filed against the mother at this time.

Glick said more information would be released as the investigation continues.