Miami Beach

Investigation underway after remains of fetus found on Miami Beach

Miami Beach Police confirmed detectives were at the scene of a death investigation in the 7900 block of the beach

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An investigation was underway after the remains of a fetus were found washed ashore on Miami Beach Tuesday.

Miami Beach Police said detectives responded to the scene of a death investigation in the 7900 block of the beach and later confirmed that the remains found were of a fetus.

Footage from Chopper 6 showed officers removing the remains with a shovel and closing the area off.

A forensic lab is looking to see if it can match the DNA of the fetus found on Miami Beach to its potential parents. NBC6's Lorena Inclan reports

The discovery was made around 1:30 p.m. and a radio call captured the incident being reported to police dispatch.

"Dispatch police to 79th Street on the beach. We have what looks like a remaining of a fetus, uh, that washed up ashore," the person says in the radio call.

Police said there are a lot of unknowns in the case, including who is the mother.

"We don't know what the mother's part — if she played a part — in this," Miami Beach Police Officer Christopher Bess said. "We don't know if this was possible miscarriage ... there are a lot of unknowns."

Nearly four hours after being discovered, the medical examiner showed up and put the remains in a bag before being taken away for an autopsy.

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