Baby Found Dead In Lakeland Dumpster Was Stillborn, Mother ID'ed

LAKELAND, FL — A newborn baby boy found dead in a Lakeland dumpster last week was stillborn and never took a breath after his birth, according to preliminary findings released by authorities.

The baby's mother is also facing charges after turning herself in to Lakeland police and admitting to placing the infant's remains in the dumpster, officials said.

The baby's body was discovered Thursday in a dumpster behind Just Move South at 3625 Florida Ave. S. Police previously estimated the baby to be about 10 hours old and still had the placenta and umbilical cord attached.

According to the medical examiner's findings, the baby had a severe brain deformity. Preliminary autopsy results ruled out homicide or foul play as causes of death, Lakeland police said in a news release.

After police released photos of several people possibly connected to the case, authorities said 34-year-old Brusela D'Enstachio-Lugo came forward as the baby's mother.

According to police, D'Enstachio-Lugo was "cooperative" and admitted to giving birth alone outside her home on the morning of May 10. She told police she was unaware she was pregnant before giving birth, according to authorities, adding that she only had minor symptoms and believed she was getting sick.

Police said D'Enstachio-Lugo didn't go to the hospital following the baby's birth because "she was in the country illegally and didn't want to get in trouble," according to the news release. She also told police she didn't have money to pay for medical expenses, authorities said.

D'Enstachio-Lugo then admitted to putting the baby's remains in the dumpster later that night, police said.

After consulting the Florida State Attorney's Office, D'Enstachio-Lugo was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for violating a law relating to storing, preserving, and transporting human remains.

DNA was collected from D'Enstachio-Lugo to compare to the deceased infant, police said. Authorities also contacted the Department of Homeland Security regarding D'Enstachio-Lugo's immigration status, police said.