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Juvenile mother arrested after infant’s body found in trash in Petersburg

Posted at 1:49 PM, Apr 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-15 18:40:50-04

PETERSBURG, Va. -- Petersburg police have confirmed a mother has been arrested after her infant's body was found inside the back of a trash truck Friday morning.

The infant's juvenile mother is in custody and has been charged with concealing a body. No addition information about the woman has been released at this time.

"A trash worker discovered the baby inside the back of the truck," said Esther Hyatt, Public Information Officer.

One neighbor, who lives near Berkeley Avenue and North Boulevard, said detectives knocked on his door Friday morning and said a dead infant had been found on his block.

A man who said the teen is his half-sister, who did not want to show his face, said, "We had no knowledge that she was pregnant or anything like that."

Petersburg death investigation (PHOTO: Kelly Barnett Redmond)

Petersburg death investigation (PHOTO: Kelly Barnett Redmond)

He said that police entered the house and took samples.

The man said the teen moved in with the couple six months ago, to attend Petersburg High School. She hopes to become an engineer, he said.

He said police picked the teen  up from school and took her to the hospital for observation.

Meanwhile, neighbors said they are stunned to hear about the baby's death.

"It is concerning," said Lamont Smith. "There's a lot of things that go on in this area -- and now,  a kid in a dump truck... that's something you see on Law and Order. To have it happen here is kind of surprising."

Petersburg Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Petersburg Dinwiddie Crime Solvers anonymously at 861-1212, text the keyword "pdcash" followed by the tip and send to 274637 or go to the website pdcrimesolvers.org.

This is a developing story. Anyone with additional information can submit a news tip here.

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