Update on Investigation into Fetus Found Aboard Aircraft

March 31, 2008 - Preliminary results of an autopsy on a fetus found in a bathroom of an airplane at George Bush Intercontinental Airport about 5:15 p.m. on Sunday (March 30) indicate the fetus was stillborn.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant R.D. Chandler and Officer L.K. Lovelace reported:

The fetus was found in the trash disposal in the bathroom on a Continental Airlines flight that arrived at Bush Intercontinental Airport from New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The cleaning crew assigned to service the plane made the discovery about 15 minutes after all passengers had been removed from the plane.

A juvenile female, 14, was located and questioned.

The Harris County Medical Examiner’s office conducted an autopsy today and its preliminary ruling is the fetus was not viable and was stillborn.

The investigation is continuing.

At 4 p.m. TODAY (Monday, Mar. 31), an investigator in the HPD Homicide Division will be available to answer questions in this case in the media briefing room on the first floor of HPD Headquarters at 1200 Travis.

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For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.