Montmorency County Sheriff Asks For Your Help
VIENNA TWP., MI -- The sheriff says nothing like this has ever happened in the county in the 30 years he's been there.
Deputies and Michigan State Police investigators found the infant Wednesday afternoon. Now, the Sheriff is still wondering who did it , and the community is wondering why.
"Nothing like this has ever happened in our community, at least that I'm aware of, not even remotely close to this, and I know the people around here are very upset about it," says Vienna Township resident Joel Dittenber.
Dittenber says Vienna Township is a quiet community, everybody knows everybody, and nothing bad ever happens. This has since changed and now the community wants to know why.
"We've had deaths in the community, but nothing like this," admitted Montmorency County Sheriff Don Edwards.
Edwards says he's been the Sheriff off and on in Montmorency County for 30 years, and he's never seen anything like this. A newborn baby was found dead in a dumpster by a gas-well employee just before 3:00 pm Wednesday.
Police say the dead baby appeared to be full-term, and they say that it was probably sitting in that dumpster for just two or three days. They've sent the dead body to Grand Rapids for an autopsy.
"We have had a few calls, and any information is very important, any calls once so ever, and follow those leads up, and it may lead to the mother of the child," said Edwards.
Edwards says he wishes the mother would step forward so they could put an end to the investigation. And the community needs closure as well.
"I just hope they catch them, because it's not a good thing at all," said Chris Sanchez, a Vienna Township resident.
"It's a sad situation, and I hope whoever did this, they find out who did it and you know, that they pay the price for doing this, it's an innocent baby, never had a chance at life," said Dittenber.
And they all agree the mother would have used the available resources if she didn't want the child.
The Sheriff tells us a mother can leave their baby, up to three-days old, with a staff member at any hospital, fire station, police station, or emergency provider, no questions asked.
As far as the case is concerned, if you know who the mother is, you're urged to call the Sheriff's office.
Montmorency County Sheriff's Office- (989) 785-4238
