Two weeks after Columbus authorities discovered a newborn baby dead in a closet, the infant’s cause of death has still not been determined.
Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant said the initial autopsy was inconclusive. More tests will be run to determine how and why the infant died, Merchant said.
“There is no anatomical reason for the baby to be dead,” Merchant said. “There was no trauma to the baby or the placenta.”
In addition to an unknown cause of death, Merchant said the autopsy could not confirm if the baby was born dead or alive.
The baby, who was approximately 25 weeks into gestation, was discovered in a closet of an east Columbus home on Dec. 22, 2013, after the child’s mother, Ada Lee, was transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle for vaginal pain. When Lee arrived at the hospital, doctors discovered Lee had recently given birth. Law enforcement went to Lee’s home, where they discovered the deceased infant in Lee’s bedroom closet, according to family members.
Lee, who is autistic, had spent the day with her boyfriend. When she returned home, she was “holding her stomach and walking funny,” according to family members.
Columbus Chief of Police Selvain McQueen said the incident is still under investigation.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.