Authorities in Boyne City continue to investigate the death of an infant. A passerby found the full term infant's remains in a backpack Tuesday.
Charlevoix County Prosecutor John Jarema says investigators' biggest priority is determining the cause of death.
"We first need to know if this infant was born alive. If it was born alive and abandoned, or killed, or suffocated, or injured in any way, that leads the investigation down a certain path, and certain charges. If the baby was stillborn, that leaves the investigation in a different light. That will really dictate where the case goes."
Jarema says preliminary autopsy results may be released Thursday or Friday.
Determining those details will influence what sort of charges may be filed in the case, according to Jarema.
"And of course, then we'd have to determine where this child was born, where this happened. Did it happen in my county? Did it happen in another county? Was it just dumped here from someone who doesn't live here? I mean, all of those things will come to light, but those are less serious charges obviously than a potential murder case or something like that."
The baby's mother has not yet been identified.
Anyone with information should contact the Boyne City Police Department.
Charlevoix County Prosecutor John Jarema says investigators' biggest priority is determining the cause of death.
"We first need to know if this infant was born alive. If it was born alive and abandoned, or killed, or suffocated, or injured in any way, that leads the investigation down a certain path, and certain charges. If the baby was stillborn, that leaves the investigation in a different light. That will really dictate where the case goes."
Jarema says preliminary autopsy results may be released Thursday or Friday.
Determining those details will influence what sort of charges may be filed in the case, according to Jarema.
"And of course, then we'd have to determine where this child was born, where this happened. Did it happen in my county? Did it happen in another county? Was it just dumped here from someone who doesn't live here? I mean, all of those things will come to light, but those are less serious charges obviously than a potential murder case or something like that."
The baby's mother has not yet been identified.
Anyone with information should contact the Boyne City Police Department.