The remains of one-week old twin boys that were found wrapped in brown paper were likely thrown from a window, according to reports.
The dead infants were found dumped on a back patio area of a building in the Bronx, New York City, on Monday with investigators believing they were thrown from a window within the building.
Resident Osvaldo Volquez called 911 yesterday afternoon after a maintenance worker told him he had seen the babies around 1.45pm.
“It is a terrible act of humanity…I don’t know who would do such a thing,” the 72-year-old told the New York Post.
Mr Volquez said one of the boys was “curled up in the fetal position”, apparently still in a placenta though “fully formed”.
“I could see its little hands and feet,” he added, estimating it weighed around four pounds.
One of the babies had a cut which may have been sustained during birth, while the other had a head injury and blue string coiled around his neck.
Blood was seen on the patio area, which is understood to be inaccessible to anyone who doesn’t live in the building.
Landlord Mohammed Oumarir said “it shouldn’t be that way for nobody, even the animals” and resident Tytiana Lomax, 19, said she was “shook”.
She added that she couldn’t remember seeing anyone who appeared pregnant prior to the discovery with the 40-unit high rise College Avenue and East 171st Street building’s residents close knit.
Cassandra Bell, 52, who lives nearby, called the incident “f****d up”.
NYPD officers are studying CCTV footage and are urging the public to come forward with any leads on who might be responsible.
Deputy Chief Timothy McCormack said charges could include disposing of human remains.
A law enforcement source added: “It’s tragic. These two boys never had a chance.”
Police do not know the identities of the children’s parents.