5 months ago
SUTTER COUNTY, CA - Sutter County sheriff's deputies searched the banks of the Sacramento River looking for evidence that could help find the person responsible for dumping a newborn.
The baby was found Wednesday evening along the riverbank one mile north of Riego Road near the Garden Highway in the Pleasant Grove area, according to authorities.
A passerby found the newborn with her umbilical cord and placenta still attached. It appears the baby had been in the water for about a week.
"There is some deterioration of the body," Sutter County sheriff's Sgt. Budah Uppal said. "It was just laying there on the edge of the water."
An autopsy performed Tuesday showed no signs of trauma to the infant. It also could not determine if the baby had been breathing when dumped into the river. Uppal said further tests on tissue samples from the baby's lungs are being performed that could indicate if the child were alive.
Depending on the results, sheriff deputies could file homicide charges against the baby's mother if the child had been breathing when dumped in the river.
"If the child had taken a breath then it shows some intent as to malice and possible homicide as throwing it into the river," said Uppal.
Sheriff's deputies are asking for the public's help in locating the mother.
"If anyone knows anything in regards to a female that was pregnant that suddenly has no child and there are questions there to that person, please contact the Sutter County Sheriff's Department," said Uppal. The number is (530) 822-7307.
News10/KXTV
