Rocky Mount Community Mourns Slain Baby

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Dozens of people gathered Friday for a small graveside service to remember a newborn baby who police said was murdered and left into a dumpster.

The 2-day-old boy was found Feb. 7 by a person looking for recyclable cans behind the Food Lion in the River's Edge shopping center off U.S. Highway 301.

Officers who have spent countless hours trying to solve the case, wanted to make sure the baby had a proper burial.

"We're just trying to step up and do the right thing in this case," said Rocky Mount Police Detective Mike Lewis. "I mean, this is still a child, it was someone's baby."

Authorities haven't disclosed the cause of death, and police said the infant might have been killed elsewhere and dumped in Rocky Mount.

Investigators found an additional clue near the child in the Dumpster -- a large plastic Cheetos bucket. The particular style of bucket was made only in 2005 and distributed only to Sam’s Clubs and BJ’s Warehouses.

"There is a mother and father of this child, and we really want this person to come forward," Lewis said.

The Rocky Mount Police Department and Nash County Social Services organized the funeral service. Local groups are now raising money for a head stone.

There is also a $10,000 reward for information in the case. Anyone with information should contact CrimeStoppers at 252-977-1111.

On Feb. 6, authorities in Duplin County found a male baby deceased at a vacant house. He was wrapped in a blanket. Members of the Warsaw community will hold a service for the child Monday at 2 p.m.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Warsaw Police Department at 910-293-7816.