Construction workers find fetal remains in southeast Houston sewer system, HFD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Authorities are investigating after they say fetal remains were found in a southeast Houston sewer system Wednesday afternoon.

The Houston Fire Department confirmed the discovery was made near El Mundo Street at about 12:30 p.m.

Rustin Rawlings with HFD said a construction crew working along the sewer lines called 911 after finding the remains inside the sewer system, about 8 feet down.

"Our rescue crew set up a tripod and had one of their members essentially repel down just for safety's sake, tied safe ropes into the sewer system to recover the fetal remains," Rawlings said.

A spokesperson with the Houston Police Department said they are collecting evidence at the scene and have notified the medical examiner's office.

It's unclear how the remains ended up in the sewer system or how long they had been there.

"We've done body recoveries. They are pretty common for the work the Houston Fire Department does, but I personally haven't had a call like this before for recovering fetal remains," Rawlings said.

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