Living baby, infant skeleton found in suitcase

Police on Friday said criminal proceedings were underway against a 22-year-old woman who was believed to have given birth to the children.

The grim discovery was made by a 19-year-old man at an apartment building (pictured above) in the Hanover district of Vahrenwald on Thursday. The woman, his partner, was arrested by police at her workplace and authorities launched a manslaughter investigation.

Emergency services were called to the scene, and the living baby was treated by medical staff. Bones, which appeared to have come from another child, were also present in the case.

The newborn baby girl was taken to a clinic where she was said to be in a stable condition.

Forensic tests on bones

The dead baby appeared to have been born a considerable time ago, police said, adding that the bones will be forensically examined.

Officials said the woman had given no details so far concerning what had happened, and that she was to appear for a remand hearing on Friday. Police said the investigation was still underway, with the woman's partner, neighbors and work colleagues all due to be questioned.

According to a local newspaper, the "Hannoverische Allgemeine Zeitung," residents said that although sound carried easily in the building, they had not heard anything that suggested a baby was in the apartment.

Neighbors said the couple - who moved into the flat with their dog a few months ago - appeared to be normal, inconspicuous people. While the woman had put on a little weight, they said, no one had noticed that she might have been pregnant.

rc/sms (AFP, dpa)