Dead Newborn Baby Girl Found In Trash After Teen Hid Pregnancy From Family

An 18-year-old woman from California was arrested after police found a dead baby in a trash container by her home. On Wednesday, police were called to her residence after someone spotted something bloody in the trash. Blood was also seen on a nearby driveway, the Fresno Bee reports.

The blood belonged to a dead newborn baby girl.

Police believe that the infant belonged to Angelena Hamilton, 18, who lived in the residence. It appeared that her family had no idea about the birth and that they didn’t even know that she was pregnant, KRON4 reports. Police say they are devastated. The baby’s father also appeared to be unaware of Hamilton’s pregnancy. He moved out of the state months ago.

“It’s devastating to realize a newborn baby’s life was lost and that she made the decision that she did,” Police Chief Matthew Basgall told the Fresno Bee. “Nobody wants to see this happen. It’s sad when this occurs when there are so many options out there.”

He called Hamilton’s alleged actions a mistake. That mistake could result in jail time. She faces potential involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment charges. Hamilton is a college student with no previous criminal record. It’s unclear if she has a lawyer at this time.

A coroner’s report is pending but police think the baby was full term and alive at birth.

Police reminded the public that mothers who don’t want their babies can bring newborns to safe havens, local fire stations in that county, with no questions asked.

"It's very important for the community to know that they have access, especially in a stressful moment such as this, all they need to do is find their local fire station," Clovis Fire Battalion Chief Bret Black told Your Central Valley.

[Photo: Clovis Police Department]