The grim discovery was made Monday after Columbus Division of Police officers were called to the location following a tip about a buried infant on the property. Homicide detectives quickly secured the scene, where the infant girl was found and pronounced deceased by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office. The specific cause of the baby’s death remains unclear and is pending autopsy results.
The subsequent investigation led detectives to a residence on the city’s west side, in the 600 block of South Oakley Avenue. Authorities determined that the two teenagers were the parents of the infant.
According to police reports, the 15-year-old mother allegedly concealed her pregnancy. After the baby died, the parents are accused of burying the infant’s body at the Karl Road location.
Both teens are facing serious charges: involuntary manslaughter, which is a felony offense, and abuse of a corpse. Due to the ages of the individuals involved, the case is expected to proceed through the juvenile court system, though prosecutors will determine if any effort will be made to pursue adult charges given the severity of the allegations.
A large police presence was noted Monday evening near Columbus International High School, located at 4077 Karl Road, which police confirmed was connected to the ongoing investigation.
Police are urging anyone with further information related to this case to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).
This incident remains under active investigation.
