SHIZUOKA (TR) – Shizuoka Prefectural Police have arrested 25-year-old woman for allegedly giving birth and abandoning the baby in a restroom at a shopping center in Shizuoka City. The baby was later confirmed dead, reports NHK (Dec.).
The suspect arrested on suspicion of abandonment of a child by a person in their care is bar employee Momoka Matsumoto, who is staying at a long-term lodging facility in Ryogaecho, Aoi Ward.
According to the police, Matsumoto allegedly gave birth to the newborn boy on Sunday in the restroom on the basement floor and abandoned him there.
According to the police and fire department, a cleaning staff member discovered the boy. He was later confirmed dead at a hospital.
Police have not revealed whether Matsumoto has admitted to the crime. The investigation is ongoing with police possibly pursuing charges of abandonment resulting in death as a caregiver.
