Dead Baby Found In Kohl’s Restroom, Mother Identified

Louisville, KY — Louisville Metro police have identified the mother of a baby that was found dead in a Kohl’s restroom.

The baby girl was found Thursday after someone called 911. Police said the baby appeared to be near-term, but it was unclear whether she was born in the store or if she was brought there. Homicide detectives kept the store open, but closed the restroom, making some customers uncomfortable.

“It kind of eerie to know that you just walked into a store where that happened at,” said Jennifer Hall.

Kohl’s had no comment other than to say they were cooperating with police, who reviewed surveillance video from the store and spoke with employees to identify the mother.

Louisville Metro police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said there were no obvious signs of trauma. The medical examiner will determine whether the infant was stillborn or if she died after birth.

“We will have to await the coroner and the medical examiner to see exactly whether or not this baby was fully to term, also whether or not it was still born, whether or not it had actually lived at that point, those are details we just don’t have because it is so early in the investigation,” Smiley said.

The mother gave birth to the baby, who was “full term and healthy,” in the restroom, police said Friday.

“Yesterday on August, 8, 2013, around 5:45 p.m., Louisville Metro Police Homicide detectives responded to Kohl’s Department Store on Standiford Plaza Drive, where they located the body of a deceased infant inside a trash can,” the LMPD said in a written statement. “The baby, a female, appeared to be full term and healthy.”

The mother is cooperating with authorities, who are waiting to hear from the medical examiner and the Commonwealth Attorney’s office before deciding whether or not to press charges. Police have not released the mother’s name.