A teenager in Georgia has been taken into custody after officials claim she was discovered excavating a hole in her backyard for the purpose of burying her newborn baby.
Authorities arrived at a residence in Marietta, Ga., shortly after 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, following a report regarding the death of a newborn, according to a statement from the Marietta Police Department shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Authorities reported discovering the deceased newborn within the residence. Authorities have taken the baby’s mother, 17-year-old Leticia Rodriguez, into custody and transported her to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital for care, according to the statement.
According to a warrant acquired by Fox 5 Atlanta, officials reported that Rodriguez attempted to bury her newborn approximately six hours post-delivery. A family member reportedly discovered her digging a hole in the backyard after she allegedly concealed the infant’s body in a blanket and grocery bag, according to the warrant.
After Rodriguez leaves the hospital, authorities plan to transport her to the Cobb County Adult Detention Center in Marietta, where she will remain in custody without bond. A teenager is charged with serious offenses including concealing a death, abusing a dead body, and abandoning a dead body, according to the statement.
Authorities reported that the inquiry is still active, and more charges are likely to be brought once the medical examiner’s office establishes the cause of the infant’s death.