Body of baby found at Amazon warehouse in west Phoenix
Jan 17, 2019, 6:10 AM | Updated: 10:33 am
(Google Maps)
(Google Maps)
PHOENIX – Police in Phoenix said they were investigating the death of a newborn infant who was found in a restroom inside an Amazon warehouse Wednesday night.
Sgt. Vincent Lewis said first responders were called to the facility around 8:30 p.m. near 51st Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road but the female baby was past the point of revival.
Lewis said investigators have located and spoken to the mother, who was not immediately identified. The baby appeared to be either full term or close to it, he added.
The baby was found inside a secure area in the facility. Lewis did not say whether the mother was an employee for the company.
“We are working with local authorities to support their investigation,” a representative for Amazon told KTAR News 92.3 FM in a statement. “The safety and wellness of our team is our top priority.”
The area around the Amazon site, a fulfillment center, is filled with warehouses, including two others operated by the online retail giant, and small businesses.
The police investigation will continue in consultation with the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Under Arizona law, mothers can anonymously leave unharmed newborns at designated “safe haven” locations.
They include hospitals, ambulances, churches, on-duty fire stations and adoption agencies. The baby must be under 72 hours old and given to a person.
The law, which was passed in 2001, also states the mothers who follow those instructions will not face prosecution.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jeremy Foster and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
