WSLS 10 Staff – ROCKY MOUNT (WSLS 10)-- The Rocky Mount Police Department is investigating the suspicious death of an infant and charges may be filed Wednesday after an autopsy.
Investigators say Carilion Police notified the Rocky Mount Police Department of a suspicious admission to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital early Tuesday evening.
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Hospital examination indicated that Katherine Dellis, 24, had recently given birth. She denied that the birth had taken place.
Police issued a search warrant for her home in the 100 block of Ann Sink Street, where investigators say officers found evidence consistent with birth. While talking with the patient's family, officers say they were told that another family member of the patient had thrown away soiled linens and bedding at Franklin County dumpster sites.
An infant's body was recovered from a dumpster at the Blackwater refuse collection site on Route 220 in Rocky Mount near the intersection of Bonbrook Mill Road and U.S. 220. The infant was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Our officers have worked across jurisdictions, including with multiple Franklin County law enforcement and emergency medical agencies, Carilion Police and Roanoke City to investigate the circumstances behind this death," says Rocky Mount Police Chief, Ken Criner. "This continues to be an active investigation, and we expect to know more by late today. We will work with the Franklin County Commonwealth Attorney's office to determine what charges may be warranted, and hope to know our way forward by later today."
The body has been transported to the Western Virginia Medical Examiner's office in Roanoke for an autopsy.
"This has been a truly difficult circumstance for our officers and investigators," says Criner. "As the circumstances of the case are still in doubt, we will wait for autopsy results before determining charges."
If you have any information, contact Rocky Mount police 540-483-9275.