Dead newborn found outside church in Mount Albion

A dead newborn has been found outside a church in Mount Albion, just east of Charlottetown.

RCMP responded to a call at 2:30 p.m. AT Sunday. The body was wrapped in a blanket and placed on the snow by the graveyard next to the Birch Hill Free Church of Scotland.

The custodian of the church found the body, said Rev. Kent Compton, who is overseeing the church because it currently doesn't have its own pastor.

The custodian was going to the church to turn on the heat for the service planned for later that evening.

The service was cancelled.

RCMPexpressed concern the mother may require medical assistance, and hasencouraged anyone who may have information to reach out to authorities.

"It's a newborn so it's not something you forget. I'm sure someone needs, could need some medical help or any kind of help so we're trying to find out to reach out to people and see if they can provide any information,"saidRCMPCpl. Martin Roy.

"We're talking about an infant. A very young baby so we don't know. We're trying to find any information. Obviously someone knows something,"

An autopsy is being conducted in Halifax on Monday.

Roy said he hopesthe autopsy will provide investigators with some clues.

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