Dog finds newborn, autopsy complete

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. - A homeowner called 911 Monday afternoon, when the family's dog (a three-legged dog named Coco) came out of the woods, carrying the body of the newborn. It happened on Clear Creek Road near Milton. A large section of the wooded area is blocked off, and investigators have also expanded the search to adjacent areas. The family spoke to FOX10 News on Tuesday.

Sheriff's deputies say they arrived at the house around 4:00 p.m. Monday and confirmed it was a baby's body that was found. Investigators are not releasing the baby's gender but did say the infant was not born in a hospital. The medical examiner's office has the body and is conducted an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Department Spokesperson Scott Haines said, "One of the main things they're going to be looking for is if the child was in fact alive or deceased when it was left at this location. We'll be able to tell that through an autopsy as well as any other injuries or anything like that."

Investigators combed the woods, surrounding the home where the baby's body was found.

"Right now it appears somebody abandoned a very newborn baby in the woods," said Scott Haines.

Investigators don't know who left the baby, or why, but they don't believe the baby was born in a hospital. Investigators are hoping to find evidence to piece it all together.

"Right now the mother of this child knows what's going on. We know she's scared and we want to talk to her. No child whether it was already dead or alive, no child deserves to be left in the woods," added Haines.

It was the dog's owner who noticed the infant. The dog came out of the woods with the baby in its mouth. The owner immediately called 911.

"I live out at Clear Creek Road, and my dog just dragged an infant's body into the woods," the homeowner told the 911 Operator. The operator asked, "How old does it look?" "Looks like it was a newborn to me," he answered.

"It's extremely disturbing, tragic for everyone, especially the homeowner, something law enforcement has to see, no homeowner should have to witness that, unfortunately that will be with them for a long time to come," said Haines.

It's something that will also stay with neighbors. Duane Broxson lives across the street from the tragic scene. He said he never imagined a baby was back in those woods, "I don't see how anybody can do that; horrible, really bad."

Officials say the autopsy is complete, but the results are not being released right now, because the medical examiner still needs to make a few determinations.

The family whose dog found the body says, it appeared the baby was missing an arm. That has not been confirmed by the Sheriff's Office.

Still there are no details on gender, etc. Deputies have recovered some items from the area for their investigation, but they aren't releasing what those items are.

If you have any information about who the mother is, call the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office. Haines said the department has received several tips but are still looking for more. Authorities want anyone who has information that could help to identify the newborn should call the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office at 850-983-1100.