Store security found a deceased infant in the bag of one of two teenagers stopped on suspicion of shoplifting at a Manhattan Victoria’s Secret.
When the security guard pulled the two 17-year-old girls aside to question them, he smelled a strong odor coming from one of the girls’ bags. According to NBC New York, when he looked inside the bag, he found a tiny body.
The guard said that he did not see any signs of trauma on the infant. However, according to Sergeant John Buthorn, a medical examiner will determine the cause of death, reports Reuters.
Both the teens were taken into custody Thursday afternoon after the incident. One of the girls, Tiona Rodriguez, reportedly told police that she was carrying the infant around in her bag after miscarrying it the day before.
Rodriguez, who said she was six months pregnant at the time of the miscarriage, said that she didn’t know what to do with the baby after it was delivered. Authorities did not know whether the child was alive or deceased at the time of delivery.
Later, Rodriguez was taken to Bellevue Hospital for evaluation. Both of the teens were arrested and charged with criminal possession of stolen property as well as petit larceny.
According to the New York Daily News, Rodriguez is already mother to a two-year-old son.
She could face more charges depending on the death ruling of the infant.