PAGADIAN CITY – A newborn baby girl was found dead and abandoned in a grassy area near a garbage site in Purok Tugas, Barangay Balangasan on the afternoon of April 28, 2026, in a disturbing case that has sparked public outrage and a police investigation.
Authorities said the infant’s lifeless body was discovered around past 4:00 p.m., already emitting a foul odor, indicating that she may have been left earlier in the day or even during the early morning hours. The baby was reportedly wrapped in a skirt believed to be a student uniform and left beside a banana tree in a secluded portion of the area.
A witness identified as Benjie Delapeña, who first saw the remains, said the infant was still visibly stained with blood when discovered. The condition of the body and the manner of abandonment suggest a recent birth and immediate disposal, investigators noted.
Residents in the area believe the baby may have been left during the night, taking advantage of the location’s dense vegetation and limited visibility. The site is also surrounded by boarding houses, raising concerns that the suspect may be living nearby or is a transient resident in the area.
Authorities are now looking into the possibility that the mother could be a student, based on the skirt used to wrap the infant. However, police emphasized that this remains an unverified lead and is part of a broader investigation.
Law enforcement units have launched a full inquiry to identify the person responsible for the abandonment and death of the newborn. They are also coordinating with nearby communities, reviewing possible leads, and gathering any available information that could point to the suspect.
Police officials condemned the act, calling it a grave violation of child protection laws, and urged anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.
The case has reignited concerns over infant abandonment and the lack of accessible support systems for distressed mothers, especially young women facing unplanned pregnancies.