Fetus found in Leesburg pond
LEESBURG, Va. (DC News Now) — Police said they were investigating after someone found a late-term fetus in a pond Monday.
The Leesburg Police Department said someone found the fetus around 4:30 p.m. It was in the pond behind Park Gate Drive NE.
“This is a deeply tragic situation,” said Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat. “We urge anyone with information to come forward, not just for the sake of the investigation, but also to ensure that those in need are provided appropriate medical attention and services.”
Because of the nature of the case, Leesburg police said they are treating the investigation with extreme sensitivity, noting that they would respect people’s confidentiality and treat any information provided to investigators with “the utmost discretion.”
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The Leesburg Police Department also reminded members of the community that resources are available to anyone who finds himself or herself in “distressing situations.” Those resources include options that allow people to give up newborns under Virginia’s Safe Haven laws.
Among other things, the Safe Haven laws allow a parent to surrender an infant who is 30 days old or younger to a staff member at a designated Safe Haven location.
The following are designated Safe Haven locations in Virginia:
A hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services
An attended Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency that employs emergency medical personnel, such as some fire stations or rescue squads
A newborn safety device located at and operated by such hospital or emergency medical services agency
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