HIRAM, Ohio — The Portage County Coroner has confirmed a baby who was found dead at Hiram College last October was born alive, and that the manner of death is officially homicide.
No clear cause of death has been made public at this time, but the coroner is expected to release the autopsy report Friday afternoon. The exact identity (or even gender) of the child is also not known.
Officials found the newborn's body inside a residence hall bathroom on the morning of Oct. 18, after a cleaning crew noticed something in a trash bag. Hiram Village Police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation stated days later they were speaking to a "person of interest" in the case, but would not confirm that person's possible relationship to the infant.
3News is not aware of any criminal charges at this time. The college released the following statement after the child was found:
"As the investigation proceeds, it is our priority to do whatever we can to ensure the health and safety of the members of the community and any others who may have been involved. The College is offering professional and ministerial counseling to those who are interested in these services."
