Fetus found in NY shopping bag born alive, police say

By Associated Press

11 years ago

A New York City police officer stands in front of the Victoria’s Secret Herald Square store in midtown Manhattan, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in New York. A security guard on the lookout for shoplifters searched two teenage girls as they left the lingerie shop Thursday afternoon, and discovered one of them was carrying what appeared to be a fetus in her bag, police said. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Pedestrians pass by the Victoria’s Secret Herald Square store in midtown Manhattan, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in New York. A security guard on the lookout for shoplifters searched two teenage girls as they left the lingerie shop Thursday afternoon, and discovered one of them was carrying what appeared to be a fetus in her bag, police said. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK — Police say a dead baby found in a teenage girl’s shopping bag at a New York City lingerie store was born alive and then asphyxiated.

Police disclosed the findings Friday. The city medical examiner’s office says an autopsy was inconclusive and more tests are needed.

Police believe 17-year-old Tiana Rodriguez gave birth to the baby at a friend’s house and that the infant was later asphyxiated.

The remains were discovered Thursday when a security guard stopped Rodriguez and her friend Francis Estevez at a Victoria’s Secret store.

One of the girls told detectives she was carrying the remains because she had delivered a day earlier and didn’t know what to do, authorities said.

Both girls were arrested on petit larceny charges. Rodriguez may face more serious charges.

It’s unclear whether either girl has a lawyer.

A woman who answered the phone at a possible home number for Rodriguez said she knew nothing about the matter. No telephone number could be found for Estevez.