Two Arrested After Worcester Police Find Remains of Newborn Baby on Lake Ave

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Worcester Police arrested two people in the area of Lake Ave after finding the remains of a newborn baby in the woods behind the property.

Edwin Santiago, 31, of Lake Ave and Jennifer Rheum, 36, of Lake Ave were placed under arrest and charged with Walking on Railroad Tracks. After further investigation and interviews, they were subsequently charged with Removal of a Human Body, and Concealment of the Death of a Child.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Incident

On June 19, at 8:43 a.m., police officers responded to the police station lobby for a report of someone wanting to report an unusual odor coming from a bag at 375 Lake Ave. Upon arrival, they spoke to the complainant. He said that he saw a bag with an unusual odor and was worried about what was inside. After a brief investigation, police determined that the bag had been moved, and was now at 384 Lake Ave.

Officers responded to 384 Lake Ave. Behind the property in the woods, they located a garbage bag emitting a strong odor. Inside the bag, officers located a newborn baby that had passed away. After the discovery, the Detective Bureau and Crime Scene Unit responded, secured the scene, and interviewed witnesses.

While officers were on scene, they saw a man and a woman walking on the railroad tracks behind the address. The railroad tracks are private property and there is a prominently posted “No Trespassing” sign. The man, identified as Santiago and Rheaume, were placed under arrest.

DCF was notified of the investigation. The cause and time of the baby’s death are currently unknown, pending autopsy results. It is also unknown whether the baby was alive at the time of delivery.