SCSO investigating fetal remains

SMELTERVILLE — The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what appears to be the illegal discarding of a fetus. 

The discovery was made last Saturday, Feb. 24, when the SCSO received a call reporting bodily remains in a storm drain in Smelterville. 

The SCSO issued a brief statement Friday morning, but few details are being released at this time. 

“At this point, it appears the fetus likely entered the line within the town of Smelterville,” the release said.

The fetal death raises several questions that the SCSO must answer in order to clear the situation of any potential wrongdoing.

The initial medical examination determined that the fetus was somewhere around four months (16-18 weeks) into gestation. 

In Idaho, a permit for the disposal of a dead fetus is not required for any fetal deaths of less than 20 weeks gestation as long as the fetus weighs less than 12.35 ounces — however, the disposal of the fetal remains must be made within the institution where the delivery of the dead fetus occurred.

According to multiple local medical professionals, there are several potentially concerning circumstances surrounding this situation — including the age and safety of the mother of the fetal remains, as well as the manner in which the remains were discarded.  

The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office is asking that anyone who may have information pertinent to this matter to contact them at 208-556-1114.