A newborn baby has died after allegedly being thrown from a second-floor hotel window in Paris.
Authorities are now investigating the case as the potential murder of a minor under 15 years old and have arrested an 18-year-old American student, per PEOPLE.
The shocking incident took place around 6:00AM (local time) on Monday, February 24, at the Ibis Styles Hotel in the Nation neighborhood of Paris' 20th arrondissement.
According to Le Parisien, a witness heard loud screams and immediately contacted emergency services.
Responders arrived to find the newborn baby - who still had the umbilical cord attached - lying outside the hotel. The infant was rushed to Robert-Debré Hospital in the 19th arrondissement for urgent medical attention but tragically did not survive.
Teen Mother Arrested Amid Investigation
The alleged mother - an 18-year-old American student - was reportedly traveling in France with a group of young adults.
Reports from Paris Match indicate that the trip may have been related to a study program, but authorities have not yet confirmed whether she was part of an academic exchange.
After the incident, the young woman was taken to a hospital, where she underwent an operation following the birth.
She was then placed in police custody for questioning.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that the homicide investigation is being handled by the juvenile protection brigade.
Officials are considering whether the woman experienced "déni de grossesse" — a psychological condition in which a person is unaware of or in denial about their pregnancy until labor begins. "The possibility of denial of pregnancy is considered," authorities said in their statement.
Unanswered Questions in a Shocking Case
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the young woman had shown signs of pregnancy before the incident, or whether any of her travel companions were aware of her condition. It remains unclear if she acted alone or if others were involved.
“The investigation is underway, and the precise circumstances of this tragedy remain to be established,” a source close to the case told Paris Match. "We do not yet know if we are dealing with a denial of pregnancy."