Baby's Remains Had Been in Bushes at Park 'At Least a Day,' Detective Says

The baby apparently left for dead in a Roseville park had been there "at least a day" before being found Monday morning by city park workers, a police official said.

The baby's remains were found wrapped in plastic bags and hidden inside a diaper box in the bushes of Saugstad Park, 100 Buljan Dr., a press release stated.

Roseville Police Detective Sgt. Darin DeFreece said the child was found near a bike trail, in an area of the park that is used frequently but that isn't near any houses or other potential witnesses.

Still, DeFreece said investigators are optimistic they'll be able to use the state DNA database, evidence left at the scene or information from citizens to identify the child, whose gender has not yet been determined.

"We may never know the why, but I'm pretty sure we'll be able to figure out the what," DeFreece said.

He said officials will perform an autopsy Tuesday to determine if the baby was born living or if he or she was a stillbirth. If authorities are forced to rely on DNA testing to identify the child, results could take anywhere from a few weeks to six months to come back, he said.

Even if the baby's mother is not in the state DNA database, a close relative could be identified, DeFreece said.

Investigators also hope residents will come forward with any information on women who were previously pregnant and now are not, but don't have a child. Tips can be called in to the police department at 916-774-5070.

What's especially aggravating for investigators is the fact that the baby could have been turned over to a Safe Surrender location a short walk away–any parent or legal guardian can surrender a child 3 days old or younger to any Roseville Fire station, including Fire Station No. 1, just a walk through Royer Park away from Saugstad Park.

"All crimes of this nature, regardless of the age, are ridiculous," DeFreece said. "But this definitely hits you a little harder than the other ones."

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