'Conflicting Stories' Probed in Disposal of Fetus

Authorities are trying to learn more about what happened in the case of a at an East Hanover home after hearing "conflicting stories" of whether the child was stillborn or not, Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi announced in a news conference Monday afternoon.

Bianchi said police are asking for the community's assistance in providing any information about the couple, the pregnancy and the alleged disposal of the fetus.

Erin Dougherty, 25, and her 31-year-old boyfriend, were arrested earlier this month after they allegedly disposed of the stillborn child's fetus in a garbage container outside their East Hanover home, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said Monday.

Dougherty and the man each were charged May 9 with third-degree unlawful disposal of medical waste and fourth-degree unlawful disposal of medical waste, and authorities are trying to learn more about what happened to make decisions about filing additional charges, Bianchi said.

Morristown Medical Center quickly notified police of the incident after the couple went to the hospital seeking treatment because Dougherty had stomach pains following the alleged stillborn birth, Bianchi said.

According to a statement released by Capt. Jeffrey Paul, a spokesman for Bianchi, Dougherty sought medical treatment at Morristown Medical Center on Tuesday, May 8, after she allegedly suffered a stillborn birth "on or about" Sunday, May 6.

Dougherty allegedly told police the pregnancy lasted about 25 weeks, but police said medical records show Dougherty went to see about getting an abortion on April 11 when the fetus was 26 to 27 weeks old at that time, according a report on NJ.com citing an affidavit signed by East Hanover Police Sgt. John Fox.

The investigation revealed the garbage was picked up from the residence on Monday, May 7, and transported to the Morris County Transfer Station in Parsippany before taken to a landfill in Pennsylvania, the prosecutor's office said.

The couple has been released on $7,500 bail.

Anyone with information should contact the East Hanover Police Department at 973-887-0432, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office Crime Stopper Program at 973-COPCALL.