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The final confirmation of motherhood would require further analysis
Photo: Sascha Steinach / imago images
In the case of an infant found dead in front of the baby hatch of a Cologne women's shelter, the police arrested a woman.
The 36-year-old mother of four was accused of killing by omission, the police said.
The investigators assume that the woman is the mother of the child: The 36-year-old's DNA matches that of the towel in which the baby was wrapped.
However, further analysis is required for a final confirmation that the 36-year-old is also the mother of the child.
According to the police, it is certain that the accused was receiving medical treatment for a pregnancy.
She will be brought before a judge on Wednesday.
The homicide squad succeeded in identifying the mother of four after "very meticulous and extensive investigations" on a receipt from a discounter found on the body of the baby.
The 36-year-old therefore lives in the catchment area of the women's refuge.
According to the evaluation of witness statements, the alleged mother may have managed to hide an actual pregnancy even in close proximity.
The child was found dead in front of the baby door of the women's shelter in the Bilderstöckchen district on July 12th.
According to the police, the infant was wrapped in a heavily soiled towel and was lying outside.
A forensic examination revealed that the boy was born alive.
He was buried ten days after it was found.
kim / dpa / AFP