Victoria Secret security guards made a disturbing discovery on Thursday when they found the remains of a baby in a shopper's bag.

The event took place in a Manhattan store where guards noticed an odor coming from one of Tiona Rodriguez and Francis Estevez's bags, according to CBS. Upon further examination, the guards found the remains of a child that police believe was born on Wednesday night.

Arrested on petit larceny charges, the 17-year-old Rodriguez told police that she was carrying the body because she had delivered the day before and did not know what to do, according to The Associated Press.

John McCarthy, a spokesman for the New York City Police Department, claims that detectives believe the baby was asphyxiated after being born alive, reports AP. However, the department is waiting for the results of further tests from the medical examiner.

CBS reports that Rodriguez, who is already the mother of a 2-year-old boy, was between five and six months pregnant when she delivered.

Although neither of the girls' parents have issued a statement regarding the case, neighbors were shocked to learn of the incident, especially considering they had not realized Rodriguez was pregnant.

"She goes to school. She does what she has to do. She's no problem," said 17-year-old neighbor Zami Ford, according to The New York Daily News. "We grew up together. I've known her since she was little. She was probably nervous and didn't know what to do. She would never hurt anyone."

Tags
Crime