Crime & Safety
Newborn Baby Boy Found Dead In Lakeland Dumpster: Police
A man found a baby's body Thursday when he sifted through the dumpster behind Just Move South on Florida Avenue, Lakeland police said.
LAKELAND, FL — Lakeland police are investigating the death of a newborn baby boy found inside a bag in a dumpster Thursday morning, said Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor.
Taylor said the baby was estimated to be about 10 hours old and still had the placenta and umbilical cord attached.
He said the discovery was made by a man sifting through the dumpster located behind Just Move South, 3625 Florida Ave. S.
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The medical examiner will determine the cause of death.
Florida has a Safe Haven law that allows babies up to 7 days old to be taken to a designated facility and turned over anonymously and with no fear of prosecution.
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Sadly, said Taylor, there are two Safe Haven facilities near the dumpster where the baby was found.
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