Stillborn toddler from Dallas present in Shreveport laundry cargo
Authorities are investigating how an embalmed toddler from Dallas ended up in a cargo of linens delivered to a dry cleaner in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Simply after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Shreveport police have been referred to as to Alsco Uniforms on Hollywood Avenue after workers reported discovering what seemed to be a mummified toddler wrapped in laundry.
“It was a really disturbing scene,” mentioned Cpl. Chris Bordelon. “Officers discovered what was a small toddler, what was described as mummified.”
Detectives decided the linens got here from Golden Gate Funeral Dwelling in Dallas. Police mentioned the kid died on Might 3 and was scheduled to be cremated following a funeral service on Might 17, however the physique as an alternative ended up in a cargo of laundry certain for Shreveport.
“It was a really weird set of circumstances,” Bordelon mentioned. “Our violent crimes group started their investigation and have been in a position to monitor down the load of linens.”
Detectives imagine the toddler had been embalmed, based mostly on the sturdy odor and early indicators of decomposition noticed on the scene.
“The detective on scene even instructed me it smelled strongly of formaldehyde, which is one thing that’s not typical of any of our crime scenes,” Bordelon mentioned.
The infant was discovered carrying clothes embroidered with the initials “Ok.M.,” the one id police have formally confirmed.
No foul play is suspected, however investigators mentioned the incident seems to contain negligence.
“This clearly is a few sort of act of negligence, whether or not it’s on the a part of a cleansing service for the funeral house or the funeral house itself,” Bordelon mentioned.
The stays are actually within the custody of the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Workplace, which is coordinating to return the kid to the household in Dallas.
Authorities mentioned that the Texas Funeral Service Fee has been notified and that the investigation will proceed throughout state strains.
“There are legal guidelines with regards to discarding of our bodies, and the funeral house and or any people concerned could possibly be topic to these legal guidelines,” Bordelon mentioned.
NBC Dallas Fort Value reached out to Golden Gate Funeral Dwelling, which declined to remark.
“That is an unlucky set of circumstances that no household ought to should undergo,” Bordelon mentioned.