Police Still Searching for Mother of Infant Found at Farmingdale Recycling Center

Photo: One of the shirts found with the deceased infant at a Farmingdale recycling center.

The New Jersey State Police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office are continuing the search for the mother of a deceased newborn infant discovered at a recycling center in Farmingdale among dumpsters of trash, according to an update provided by the State Police.

Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance to help identify the mother of the baby girl, who was discovered by an employee of the ReCommunity Recycling facility on Railroad Avenue on Tuesday, November 11.

A search by detectives of the surrounding trash uncovered two blood-stained blouses and a bag from a retail shopping area in Orange, New Jersey. The blouses have no tags but are believed to be a few years old, and are a size petite to medium. Both the clothing and the bag are believed to be connected with the mother of the infant.

The infant was pronounced deceased at 3:31 p.m. Tuesday and transported to the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office in North Brunswick, where an autopsy was performed on November 12. The results of that autopsy are not complete, but it is believed that the baby was likely born sometime Monday, and is listed as 21.5” and 7 pounds, five ounces, according to the State Police.

Detectives are asking the public for help in identifying women who were pregnant last week but no longer appear pregnant and do not have a baby in their custody.

“We are asking people to think about their acquaintances and co-workers who appeared in the midst of a full-term pregnancy last week, but no longer appear pregnant and do not have a baby,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. ”She may have worn baggy clothing, out of season attire and you may have seen a noticeable change in her physical appearance. Recently, she may have resumed some of her normal activities and she may have begun to wear more form fitting attire.”

“Don’t assume a child was put up for adoption. Don’t assume a baby was miscarried or stillborn. Give us a call. This newborn little girl deserves to have an identity and we need to ensure that the mother is alright,” Colonel Fuentes added.

“The tragedy here is that a newborn was disposed of in the trash, and we need to find answers as to why. It is important to determine the welfare of the mother and make sure she is not also a victim,” said Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

There has been no evidence at this time to point to the mother being a victim of foul play, although that possibility has not been ruled out. Detectives hope that someone may recognize the items of clothing (above) in order to help identify the mother.

The investigation has stretched from Ocean County across the state to Mercer County and into Monmouth and Middlesex counties up to Northern New Jersey, including Essex County. The New Jersey State Police have posted pictures of maps showing the route of the trucks that collected recyclables found around the baby’s body, as well as maps of dumpsters that were emptied and delivered to the recycling facility on the date of the tragic discoveries. Those locations cover several different counties.

Members of the NJSP Major Crime Unit, Troop “C” Criminal Investigations Office, Crime Scene Investigation Central Unit, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and Monmouth County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the facility and are carrying the investigation forward together.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Robina with the New Jersey State Police Major Crime Unit at (732) 578-0490 or Detective Brian Weisbrot of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443. Anyone with information about this case may anonymously contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-671-4400, which is a confidential telephone tip-line; they can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers does not need your name, just your information. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest or conviction of criminals.