Fetus found in hospital laundry
JOLIET, Ill. (STMW) — Laundry workers in southwest suburban Joliet were shocked and saddened Tuesday night after finding the remains of a fetus in a bag of sheets and towels from a Chicago hospital.
Police Chief Fred Hayes said it was shortly after 8:30 p.m. when employees at Premiere Laundry Technologies, 506 Mills Road, were taking soiled linens from the wash when they made the discovery.
“A bundle was coming out on the conveyor belt after it had gone through the complete wash cycle and was being separated when they found the fetus wrapped inside,” Hayes said.
Police were called and learned the laundry had been picked up at 11 a.m. that morning from Resurrection Health Saint Mary Medical Center, 2233 W. Division St.
Will County Coroner Patrick K. O’Neil said the small fetus appears premature.
“The age, sex and race are unknown, but there was a medical clamp on the umbilical cord,” he said.
Death was pronounced at 9:44 p.m. The remains were taken to the county morgue where an examination, but not autopsy, will be performed Thursday.
Hayes said Joliet police contacted Chicago police to alert them of the death and called the hospital.
“This death investigation does not appear to be foul play, but is being examined very thoroughly. The umbilical clamp has led Chicago investigators and Saint Mary’s personnel to verify the paperwork and procedures for all recent stillborns at the hospital,” Hayes said.
Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.
