COLTON – Police still have not released additional information about a newborn infant boy found dead near a trash bin late on Friday morning, January 2.
The infant was discovered by an unidentified woman who had been walking her dog sometime between 11 and 11:30 a.m., according to police. She said, “I hoped it was a doll, but it wasn’t a doll. I realized I had to get home and call the police.” Police are treating the case as a homicide.
The woman discovered the infant in the 900 block of North 7th St., near the corner of B St. Paramedics were summoned to the scene where they found the infant had died. Police reported they believe the infant was left sometime between 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, and 11:30 p.m. on January 1.
The temperatures dipped to 31 degrees overnight.
The cause of death has not been released, but reports said it was likely exposure to the extreme cold conditions. Police canvassed the local area, trying to find witnesses to anyone that might have seen anyone with a baby. Police said there were no area residents that reported seeing any signs of the infant or anyone with an infant.
Having determined that the baby had not been born in the hospital, reports are the baby was about one week old. An autopsy by the county coroner was pending, according to Colton Cpl. Ray Mendez. Colton police (909-370-5021) are seeking the public’s help in leading investigators to explain the circumstances.
