Fetal remains found in sewer, not storm drain
SMELTERVILLE — Reports of the discovery of fetal remains in a drainage system rattled the Silver Valley last Friday.
Speculation ran rampant on various social media sites despite several details of the situation being unknown.
One larger detail has been clarified – the location of the remains.
The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office's initial release stated that the fetal remains were found in a storm drain – however, they were actually found in a sewer line.
According to SCSO Captain Seth Green, deputies responded to a call about a human fetus found in a drain on Saturday, Feb. 24. after a city employee working on the sewage lines discovered the fetus.
"At this point, it's just investigating to find out how it entered the sewage system," Green said. "We're starting with what we have. The medical examiner is checking it out and finishing their report as well. So then we'll go from there."
Initial reports from the medical examiner said that the fetal remains were somewhere around four months (16-18 weeks) through the gestational process.
The difference between the remains being discovered in a storm drain as compared to a sewer line potentially tells two different stories.
Storm drains are designed as catch basins for rainwater and other precipitable runoff — many of them flow into nearby waterways. Sewer lines carry wastewater away from buildings, where it flows to a treatment facility.
In their initial statement, the SCSO believes that the remains entered the line inside the city of Smelterville before they were discovered.
Concealing the remains in one of the city’s storm drains would’ve required the person to lift an iron cover and place them there physically. Them being found in a sewer line can mean an entirely different number of things.
Despite this correction, Capt. Green and the SCSO are still investigating the matter — just not as a crime.
Green wasn’t able to elaborate in detail but did say that SCSO is working to avoid infringing on anyone’s HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) privacy rights – which is why, at this time, they are just trying to determine how the remains ended up in the sewer line, instead of checking local hospitals for anything suspicious.
Once they can determine how the fetus entered the line, they will turn their attention to the welfare of the mother.
According to several local medical professionals, there are several potentially concerning circumstances surrounding this situation – these include the age and health of the mother.
If any fragments of a fetus or placenta remain in the uterus following a miscarriage, infection may develop. This infection, commonly referred to as a septic abortion, is potentially lethal and is considered a medical emergency.
Other issues, like damage to the mother’s cervix or uterus as well as excessive bleeding, are also very dangerous and require medical attention.
If you know anyone experiencing an abusive (physical, mental, or sexual) or potentially dangerous situation, the Shoshone County Crisis and Resource Center can be reached at (208) 556-0500. The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office is asking that anyone who may have information pertinent to this matter, please contact them at (208) 556-1114.