What:
Press Conference

When:
Tuesday, October 16, 2001, at 11:00 AM

Where:
Parker's Center, in front 150 North Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles

Los Angeles: On 10-14-01, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Hollenbeck area patrol officers responded to the 5000 block of Alhambra Avenue in Hollenbeck Area, to investigate the death of an abandoned baby. The preliminary investigation revealed that the body of a new born baby boy had been abandoned in a trashcan. Construction workers discovered the body while working on an apartment near by. The cause of death in unknown. There are no leads at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

This is the second newborn baby abandoned in the Hollenbeck Area this month. On October 4, 2001, the body of a new born baby, who had been abandoned and set on fire, was discovered in the area of the 3700 block of Union Pacific Avenue in Hollenbeck Area. The baby was burned beyond recognition. The sex and race of the baby is unknown at this time.

Detectives from Juvenile Division, Abused Child Unit has assumed the investigation of both of these cases. Anyone with information regarding the incident on October 4, 2001, is urged to call Detectives’ Ruedas or Stanford at the Abused Child Unit, 213-485-4220. Anyone with information regarding the incident on October 14, 2001, is urged to call Detectives’ Camacho or Cervantes at the Abused Child Unit, 213-485-4220.

We would like to remind the public that according to California Penal Code Section 271.5, "Any parent, or other person who has lawful custody of a minor child 72 hours old or younger, may voluntarily surrender physical custody of the child to any hospital emergency room, without fear of prosecution." No questions will be asked of the parent.

This media advisory was prepared by Officer La Donna Cissell, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.