Newborn infant found dead in O.C. dumpster might have been born nearby, authorities say

The Orange County Sheriff's Department this morning was asking for the public's help as they searched for suspects after an newborn infant's body was found behind a Mexican restaurant in Stanton on Wednesday night.

The body was discovered in a trash bin behind the Sombrero restaurant around 7 at Katella Avenue and Knott Street.

The restaurant is near a busy shopping center, so officials hope there might be witnesses.

The race and gender of the infant were not immediately released. An autopsy was pending.

Sheriff's officials were trying to determine whether the baby might have been born in the area -- perhaps even in a public restroom nearby, according to KTLA News.

Anaheim police were also investigating.

Anyone with information is urged to call (866) 847-6273.

 -- Robert J. Lopez

Photo: Crime scene tape and coroner's gloves litter the area around a dumpster where police recovered the body of a newborn baby. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times

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Comments

[Mr. X]

Horrible anytime but now at Christmas time, makes it worse. I bet a young teenage girl who panic did this. Rest in peace little one.

[Mychal]

To Mr. X,

Duh!

[Mar Marinas]

Why do you have to mention the "Mexican" restaurant?

[effen_what]

I will never understand why someone would do this when you can easily give up your baby for adoption to any one of the thousands of people who cant conceive and would love a newborn baby to love.

[Kate]

Mar, it's to help people identify the area, the neighborhood, or give any clues to those who might help. Even minor details can turn out to be not so minor. When a crime has been comitted and a life has been lost, there are no "minor details." Get over yourself and quit playing a race/culture card when it isn't warranted.

[American citizen]

Just another wintery ordinary day in O.C.! Since when did new born infants were treated with dignity, worth and respect? Nowadays, are just another property to be dispose of. Hey, abortion is legal in America, and child abuse is rampant too, so abandoned and unwanted infants is not so shocking anymore!

[brother Joseph, SFO]

Jesus came, the very Son of the Creator, and no one was there to welcome Him but two poor, simple, powerless people, shoved off into a stable. This poor babe reminds me of that poor babe and I believe this baby is now in His arms. People can be ugly, heartless and cruel. God loves us anyway, patiently forgives and continues to call us to do good, be better and grow in love. I cry for this child but moreso for the poor desperate individual who revealed how she feels about herself by throwing away someone so precious! God have mercy on us all! brother Joseph, SFO http://www.stfrancisspeaks.blogspot.com

[David Gambill]

Lord,

Forgive her and welcome the baby girl into your arms. No more pain or sorrow. Please GOD, forever change her heart and use this situation for your glory. Amen

[Ken]

So sad. This kind of thing just goes to show me that no matter how many options there are, people aren't always rational, nor do they always do the right thing. Even with abortion and with safe surrender laws, this sort of thing is still happening. There are also various forms of adoption, and there are people, especiallty women, who are infuriated by stories like this one because they'd love a newborn baby with all of their heart. There are women who long to carry a child within them and give birth, and have been unable to. While I do not excuse the woman or girl who did this, I don't ignore the fact that there is some male out there involved at least to the point of getting a female pregnant when she was clearly not prepared to be a mother. Shame on him!

[Tonya]

What the heck...why don't these females having baby's understand the "BABY SAFE HAVEN LAW"...R.I.P Lil Angel.