Overview

• Osaka Prefectural Police arrested an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man on Aug. 30 on suspicion of murdering a newborn.
• Police allege the infant was placed in a garbage bag and the opening was tied inside an Osaka apartment on the evening of Aug. 28.
• A cohabiting relative found the unresponsive baby, called 119, and the child was pronounced dead at a hospital.
• The mother admitted she could not consult her parents about the pregnancy, while the man acknowledged tying the bag but said he opened it within about 30 seconds and partially denied intent, with one report quoting him as saying they discussed suffocation.
• A forensic exam determined the female newborn was alive at birth and ruled the death a homicide; investigators say the man is believed to be the father as Investigation Division 1 continues the inquiry.