A dead baby found in a teenager's shopping bag at a Victoria's Secret store was born alive, say police. Picture: AP
A BABY found dead in a teenager's shopping bag at a Victoria's Secret lingerie store in New York was born alive and asphyxiated, police say.
Police disclosed the findings on Friday, AP reports.
The city medical examiner's office says an autopsy was inconclusive and more tests are needed.
Police believe 17-year-old Tiana Rodriguez gave birth to the baby at a friend's house and that the infant was later asphyxiated.
The remains were discovered after a security guard contacted police after the teens were allegedly seen stashing sexy undergarments in their clothing.
The woman and her accomplice were spotted lurking in the West 34th St and Broadway lingerie store about 1.30pm on Thursday local time.
The New York Post reports the guard contacted police and detained the young women.
It was only when the women were being handcuffed that police made the grisly discovery. One of them had a fetus in the bottom of a shopping bag.
Rodriguez was taken to a nearby hospital, while the other teen Francis Estevez was detained by police for further questioning.
Both girls were arrested. It's unclear whether either girl has a lawyer.
