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Autopsy: Fetus found in sewer was stillborn

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BATON ROUGE- Autopsy results released Monday by the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner indicate that a fetus found over the weekend in a Baton Rouge sewer was stillborn.

The autopsy stated the fetus was a male and weighed a little more than half a pound. Doctors were able to determine no air was in the fetus' lungs as it had not taken any breaths.

According to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Chief Investigator, Shane Evans, Louisiana laws are clear on feticide. The feticide laws do not apply to the mother.

"Louisiana law guides at 20 weeks or 350 grams or more, at that point, moving forward than the healthcare facility where that stillborn was delivered has to do a stillborn death certificate," Evans said. "Prior to 20 weeks, and less than 350 grams the law does not recognize the fetus as a person."

In this case, doctors believe the fetus was around 20 weeks old.

Sources tell WBRZ the sewer crew that found the fetus were disturbed by it. We've learned workers came across an obstruction in the line. When they used tools to pull it out, they discovered a fetus between three to five inches long.

"You don't flush it, no you don't," Neighbor Pam Hailey said.

Hailey lives not far from where the fetus was discovered. She said she feels for the mother, but also for the fetus.

"Imagine having to find that fetus," Hailey said.

According to Evans, the mother will not face any sort of prosecution as the laws in Louisiana are very clear.

"It's certainly in response to some supreme court decisions that we talked about, Roe v Wade, if the law would allow us to prosecute or allow the district attorney to make a prosecutorial decision, then abortions would be illegal."

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