Fetus cut from body of woman in Worcester; search on for newborn

(NECN: Alysha Palumbo, Worcester, Mass.) – It was a gruesome discovery Monday afternoon at 94 Southgate Street in Worcester, Massachusetts. The landlord went in to apartment 2R to investigate complaints from other residents of a foul odor coming from the second floor apartment…and he found a badly decomposed body. Worcester Police say, “He opened the door and discovered what was found to be a body wrapped up in what looked to be a comforter inside that closet.” The body was identified as 23-year-old Darlene Haynes, the woman who lived in the apartment. Police say she was last seen last Thursday. Worcester Police Sergeant Kerry Hazelhurst said, “According medical records, she was approximately eight months pregnant but during the autopsy it was discovered that the fetus had been removed.” Worcester Police say they don’t know if the infant survived, but they’re checking the local hospitals just in case. “Medical personnel have stated that at eight months the fetus is viable and could survive, however it would be needing medical attention immediately,” said Sgt. Hazelhurst, “so we’re urging the public that if they know of anybody that all of a sudden has an infant in their possession who didn’t appear to be pregnant, to contact the police.” Police have interviewed Haynes’ boyfriend, 24-year-old Roberto Rodriguez, with whom Haynes has a nearly two-year-old daughter. According to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Haynes had an active restraining order against Rodriguez stemming from an alleged assault just last month. But police won’t say if they’re focusing the investigation on Rodriguez. “We have interviewed a number of people thus far who are associated with the woman who we believe that lived there :20 we have no suspects per se,” said Worcester Police. If you have any information on this investigation, you’re asked to call Worcester police detectives at 508-799-8651.