JACKSON — Jackson police are investigating after a premature infant was found buried in a shallow grave.
Interim Hinds County Coroner Jeramiah Howard told reporters that the fetus was discovered in the backyard of a home in the 400 block of Jeanette Circle around 6:30 p.m. on Monday.
Howard said the infant, which was estimated at 20 to 24 weeks old, will be taken to the Mississippi State Crime Lab for an autopsy. Police will determine whether any criminal charges are warranted.
Jackson Police Department received the call of a “fetus” buried in the backyard, and that’s when the call originated. The caller gave a good description, Howard said, and an officer responding to the call found the shallow grave.
Howard said the infant had been there possibly a few days to a week.
Investigators are working to identify the mother. Howard said the infant may have been the result of a premature birth or miscarriage, but it is too early in the investigation to determine the circumstances.
