18-year-old arrested after dead baby found in hospital's Safe Haven Baby Box

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT/Gray News) – An 18-year-old woman is facing charges after a dead newborn baby was found in a baby box at an Idaho hospital last month. KMVT/KSVT reports.

Police say a dead baby was placed in the Safe Haven Baby Box at Grove Creek Medical Center in Blackfoot, Idaho, on Oct. 13. Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, said that when she was found, the child was wrapped in a blanket and the placenta was still attached: Associated Press reports.

Upon examination, detectives determined that the girl belonged to 18-year-old Angel N. Newberry. According to a report published on Friday. He was arrested on a felony charge for failing to report the baby’s death to law enforcement and the medical examiner.

Investigators did not say how they linked Newberry to the child’s death.

The 18-year-old was booked into Bingham County Jail. He could potentially face additional charges during the ongoing investigation, police said.

The Safe Haven Baby Box aims to safely allow parents to hand over their newborn babies (under 30 days old) anonymously and without questions. If the baby is harmed or dies, the placement is not protected under Idaho law.

The baby box at Grove Creek is currently only one in the statehowever, Kelsey said another baby box is planned to be installed next year.

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