Thursday, 4:30 PM
Police chief: Milford woman accused of dumping baby gave birth unexpectedly
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff
The Milford woman who allegedly dumped her newborn into the trash this weekend was not aware how far her pregnancy had advanced and gave birth unexpectedly, Milford Police Chief Thomas O'Loughlin said today.
"The labor was fairly rapid as she described it," O'Loughlin said in a telephone interview.
The 27-year-old woman and her long-time boyfriend were interviewed by police on Sunday. O'Loughlin said the woman told investigators that her boyfriend did not know she had given birth in the single-family home where the couple lives with their other child, who is six years old.
"He did not know she delivered," O'Loughlin said, adding that it appears the boyfriend did know his girlfriend was pregnant.
O'Loughlin said the Office of Chief Medical Examiner is scheduled to begin an autopsy later today and that he is hopeful investigators will get an indication whether the child was stillborn or alive at birth. That medical conclusion will decide what charges, if any, will be brought against the woman.
The possible charges that could be brought against the woman range form murder if the child was born alive, to improper disposal of human remains if the infant was stillborn, he said.
"We will wait for the ME to see what our next steps are," O'Loughlin said.
A spokesman for Worcester County District Joseph D. Early Jr. could not be reached for comment this morning.
