Parents leave baby's body in garbage heap

MANILA, Philippines - With her parents too poor to afford a proper burial, the body of newborn girl was found in a heap of garbage in Barangay West Kamias, Quezon City.

Senior Inspector Edilberto Nicanor, deputy head of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said the baby – named Gail Quiabo – was born Tuesday last week at the East Avenue Medical Center.

Nicanor said Gail’s mother, Evangeline, was eight months pregnant when she gave birth. Evangeline’s mother said Gail’s father picked up the baby’s remains at the hospital on Thursday. Her parents live in Barangay Central.

The family did not have money to pay for the burial. They left Gail’s body in a trash heap in front of a house in Barangay West Kamias on Monday morning.

Scavenger Ramon Erederos, 24, was rummaging through piles of trash when he found the baby inside a cardboard box. Nicanor said the scavenger found inside the box a hospital note that stated the baby’s name, her mother’s name, her birthday and the release date of the body from the hospital.

Gail’s grandmother arrived at Nicanor’s office Monday afternoon and explained what happened. Officials of Barangay Central decided to help Gail’s family by arranging for a proper burial.

Nicanor said that as of yesterday, Gail’s body was still at a funeral parlor.