Marietta police report teen mom trying to bury dead newborn in backyard
MARIETTA, Ga. - A teenager is facing numerous charges after police say she tried to bury her baby just hours after giving birth.
"I would never have thought anything like this would happen here," said Theresa Neill, a neighbor.
No one could have imagined what police say unfolded in a home on Gramling Street. Investigators say 17-year-old Leticia Rodriguez gave birth to a baby boy in her bed early Sunday morning.
A warrant states the teen placed the infant in a blanket then inside a grocery bag to conceal his death for about 6 hours. Police say a family member caught her digging a hole by the backyard tree to bury the deceased infant.
"The uncle is the one who made the discovery of her digging in the backyard and contacted authorities for assistance," said Marietta Police OFficer Chuck McPhilamy.
When officers arrived they found the dead infant on the property.
"That infant was clearly injured," said Officer McPhilamy.
The warrant states the teen used a pocket knife to abuse the infant's body.
Neighbors say they saw investigators going in and out of the home throughout the night, while the family stood outside.
"All of the family was standing outside and everybody looked so calm, it was puzzling," said Neill.
The family is from Guatemala. Neighbors say they had moved in about two years ago, but never noticed a teenage girl.
"I never saw the 17-year-old," said Angeline Perez, a neighbor.
Rodriguez was taken to the hospital.
"The trauma of childbirth, she needed medical attention. She's now at the hospital receiving that," said Officer McPhilamy.
Once released, she will be taken to the Cobb County Jail. She faces charges of concealing a death, throwing away or abandonment of dead nody and abuse of dead body.
Police say the charges are related to the death of the infant, not the cause of death. The medical examiner will determine the cause of the infant's death.
Investigators say once they get that information there could be additional charges filed against the teen.
The Source: This is an original report by FOX 5 Atlanta's Rob DiRienzo and Denise Dillon. Some details about the case were provided by the Marietta Police Department.