INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department child abuse detectives are asking for the public's help with information after remains were found at a local park Monday afternoon.
Police said around 3 p.m., officers responded to Brookside Park on the East side after a passerby's discovery.
According to IMPD, the remains were located in the wood line near 3500 Brookside Parkway South Drive.
Detectives believe the remains are less than a day old. However, the Marion County Coroner is currently working to determine "whether the remains represent a fetus that was not viable outside the womb (or in utero) or an infant that may have been born alive."
At this time, the preliminary investigation by the coroner indicates that there are no signs of blunt force trauma or external injury that would have directly caused the death.
The coroner said they are unable to identify the race, but have confirmed the remains appear to be those of a female sex.
As investigations continue, detectives said they are concerned about the well-being of the mother, who may require medical attention.
Anyone with information they believe is relevant to this investigation is asked to contact IMPD Child Abuse Detective Robert Burns at Robert.Burns@indy.gov or 317-765-6096. Alternatively, they can contact Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.
IMPD Sergeant Amanda Hibschman reflected on her own experience as a new mother and the overwhelming nature of parenthood. She stressed that help is available for women facing difficult circumstances. "There are options, and yesterday didn't have to happen," Hibschman said.
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One of those options is Indiana’s Safe Haven Law, which allows a person to safely and anonymously surrender an unwanted infant without fear of arrest or prosecution. More information on this law can be found here or here.
Per the Indiana Department of Child Services Website:
The Indiana Safe Haven Law enables a person to give up an unwanted infant anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution.
As long as there are no signs of intentional abuse on the baby, no information is required of the person leaving the baby. Any knowledge of the date of birth, race, parent medical history, child's health or anything that would be useful to the child's caregiver would be greatly appreciated.
Once the baby is examined and given medical treatment (if needed), the Indiana Department of Child Services will take the baby into custody through Child Protective Services or a Licensed Child Placing Agency (LCPA) where it will be placed with a caregiver.
IC 31-34-2.5 Chapter 2.5. Emergency Custody of Certain Abandoned Children [iga.in.gov]
