Newborn Baby Found Dead in Duffel Bag by Firefighters Shoveling Snow

A newborn baby was found dead inside of a duffel bag by a group of firefighters shoveling snow, according to multiple reports.

The shocking discovery was made at around 5 a.m. Saturday outside of a Chicago fire station located on the 1000 block of North Orleans Street, the Chicago Tribune reported, adding that the bag was found "covered with snow."

It is unclear how long the baby had been outside before being discovered by authorities, per People magazine.

Speaking to the Tribune, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said that under the Illinois Safe Haven Law, the baby's parents could have contacted someone inside the fire station and surrendered the baby without being questioned.

"There is no risk to the person being identified or questioned. You can knock on the door, ring the bell, get our attention, we will take the child from you, thank you and you're on your way," he said.

Meanwhile, the parents "potentially face arrest and charges for abandoning the baby," per the Tribune, citing officials.

"Under no circumstances do we want people to leave children outside," Langford added. "And because of the way the Safe Haven Law is written, you may hand the child directly to a staff member or Fire Department member—they won't ask for your name, they won't ask for identification, they won't question you at all, which is far better than leaving the child outside."

Amid Saturday's discovery, the Chicago Fire Department took to Twitter to remind Chicagoans of its own Safe Haven law.

"Illinois' Safe Haven law is a safe way for parents who make the difficult choice to give up a newborn for adoption," the department tweeted. "Handing over a newborn to a Firefighter or Paramedic directly at a firehouse can help facilitate the safest outcome. No questions asked and no judgment given."

People reported that the Cook County Medical Examiner and Area Three Investigators are currently investigating Saturday's events.

Last month, a baby with its umbilical cord still attached was found on the sidewalk outside of an apartment complex in Memphis, Tennessee.

The baby was transported to a nearby hospital in non-critical condition. A few hours later, the police managed to track down the newborn's mother. No charges were filed.

"As long as the baby is unharmed and the child is surrendered within two weeks of birth, the mother—or parents—will not be prosecuted and is assured of complete confidentiality," explained the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.