Deceased baby found in Saskatoon recycling bin

Saskatoon police are investigating the death of a baby whose body was found in a recycling bin.

Police were called to the 400 block of Fifth Avenue North for a report of an unknown problem just before 9 a.m. Friday.

Police investigators at the scene were focusing some of their investigation on a dumpster in the alley.

That’s where police discovered the baby’s body.

Earlier Friday morning, Stan Bergen, the building manager of a nearby condominium complex, was approached by a man asking to use his phone because the man believed he saw a baby in the recycling bin.

“So we went out there and I looked in the dumpster, and there was this little baby,” said Bergen. “I was surprised and didn’t know what to think. I was totally surprised by that.”

When Bergen called 911, he said even the dispatcher sounded surprised.

“She said, ‘Are you sure it isn’t a doll?’ I said, ‘No, it’s real,’ ” Bergen said.

There is evidence the infant’s birth was recent, and police believe the baby was born at a separate location.

Saskatoon police are now working with the coroner’s office to determine the cause of death. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

Police said there is an urgent need to locate the mother of the child. They said she is believed to have given birth recently and may be in a vulnerable physical and emotional state.

Alyson Edwards, with the Saskatoon police, said time is of the essence in finding the mother.

“Our priority is to locate her and get her some supports,” said Edwards. “We want this mother to come forward, we want to assist her in any way we can.”

Anyone who may have information is asked to call police at 306-975-8300.

The major crimes and forensic identification section continue to investigate.