This article was updated at 4:20 p.m.
The location was a waste container on Kundratstrasse. The arrested mother of the infant, who was only around a week old, is now being investigated on suspicion of murder, the police announced on Friday afternoon.
The baby disappeared from the hospital’s neonatal ward shortly before noon on Thursday. A nurse noticed this and raised the alarm. A large-scale search operation at night, including dogs and a drone, initially yielded no findings. The Vienna Health Association (WIGEV) pointed out on Thursday that there was no free access to the ward.
Not least because of this, suspicion may have initially focused on the immediate family environment and especially on the mother. The 30-year-old Austrian citizen was also questioned that night and may have ultimately told investigators where her child could be found.
According to police spokeswoman Anna Gutt, the girl’s body was found around 10 a.m. When the woman was questioned, there were indications that the infant could be found outside the hospital premises. This was already likely on Thursday because the search of the hospital grounds yielded no evidence of the baby. After the overnight interruption, the police started searching the area around the clinic, which ultimately led to the dead child.
Investigators ruled out kidnapping from the start
From the outset, investigators ruled out the possibility of the baby being kidnapped. This was due not least to the security measures in the hospital, which means that it is hardly possible for people outside the hospital to gain access to the ward. So far there is no confirmation from the police that the woman has explicitly admitted to dumping her daughter. She is still under strong suspicion of murder. The investigators tend to rule out the possibility that Section 79 – killing a child at birth – may also be a possibility. The paragraph reads: “A mother who kills the child during birth or while she is still under the influence of the birth process shall be punished with imprisonment of six months to five years.”
The cause of death was also unclear on Friday morning. The baby is undergoing an autopsy and the results are not expected to be available until the next few days. Around two hours after the body was found, the crime scene investigators from the State Criminal Police Office were still busy working on clues. The location on Kundratstrasse was cordoned off for eleven car lengths.
Concern for the hospital and hospital operator
The employees of the Favoriten Clinic and the Vienna Health Association (WIGEV) reacted with concern: “Unfortunately, today we had to learn that the missing baby was found dead outside the Favoriten Clinic. The police investigation into the background to the crime is still ongoing. What happened “Our employees who actively supported the police in the search are all deeply affected. They will receive psychological support if necessary,” said Michaela Riegler-Keil. Medical director of the clinic.
What are the key steps taken by investigators in the initial phase of a forensic investigation, especially in sensitive cases like the one involving the infant found outside the Favoriten Clinic?
**Interview with Forensics Expert Dr. Mark Schneider**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Schneider. The discovery of the infant’s body outside the Favoriten Clinic has shocked the community. Can you help us understand the initial investigation process?
**Dr. Schneider:** Absolutely. In cases like this, the police begin by gathering evidence and analyzing the scene where the body was found. They also look into the surrounding area, as they did on Kundratstrasse. It’s crucial to interview any potential witnesses, including hospital staff and family members.
**Interviewer:** We learned that the police quickly ruled out the possibility of kidnapping due to hospital security measures. How significant is that in the investigation?
**Dr. Schneider:** It’s quite significant. When a hospital has strong security protocols, it drastically reduces the likelihood that someone from outside could enter and take a baby from a neonatal ward. This really narrows down the suspect pool to individuals who had access to the ward, often family members or caregivers.
**Interviewer:** The mother has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder. Can you clarify what some of the legal implications might be in her case, particularly concerning the law about killing a child at birth?
**Dr. Schneider:** The law in many jurisdictions provides different penalties based on the circumstances of a child’s death. If investigators determine that this was a deliberate act, then charges of murder or manslaughter could apply. However, if the mother was under extreme psychological distress during or shortly after childbirth, she might be considered for the lesser charge of killing a child at birth, which carries different consequences.
**Interviewer:** What sort of factors do investigators consider when determining the cause of death?
**Dr. Schneider:** They will conduct an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death, which can take several days. They will examine physical evidence from the body, any signs of trauma, and conduct toxicology tests to look for substances in the baby’s system. All this information can help piece together what happened before the child was found.
**Interviewer:** There has been a strong community reaction to this case. What can you say about the psychological impact on hospital staff and the community?
**Dr. Schneider:** It’s devastating for everyone involved, especially the hospital staff who are trained to protect and care for vulnerable patients like newborns. The emotional fallout can be profound, and it’s important that those employees receive support to process the trauma associated with such an event. Additionally, for the community, it can lead to a sense of fear and mistrust surrounding local health services.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Schneider. We appreciate your expertise during this very sensitive time.
**Dr. Schneider:** Thank you for having me; it’s critical to approach such topics with care and compassion.