Video: Teen mother arrested in death of newborn

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PORT ANGELES, Wash. - Police say a 16-year-old Port Angeles girl killed her newborn baby and then threw the infant in the trash. 

The trash was collected on Friday, compacted, then taken by train to Tacoma and was to be taken to Oregon. Police say the baby's body is buried in up to 60 tons of garbage.

A witness tipped off police that the boy was born at the Port Angeles home early Friday and then thrown in the city trash.

Port Angeles detectives searched the home of the teenage mother in the 100 block of East 12th Street.

They found a pipe bomb in the home where at least five adult men also live. Police interviewed all of the men.

“There are conflicting stories as to whether the child was born alive or dead,” said Sgt. Glen Roggenbuck, Port Angeles Police. “We believe probable cause exists to arrest the 16-year-old female mother of the child for murder in the first degree.”

Police now believe the child was born alive. The child’s would-be grandfather was also arrested on suspicion of concealing a birth.

Roggenbuck said the trash receptacle will be searched this week.

“The trash receptacle has been located in Tacoma and will be searched some time during this week with the assistance of the Washington State Crime Lab,” said Roggenbuck.

The baby's mother is being held at the Clallam County Youth Center on a charge of First Degree Murder. She is expected to appear before a judge on Monday.