The body of a newborn girl was discovered in a park situated on Mihail Sadoveanu St in Chisinau in the evening of January 14. The police were called out by a passerby, IPN reports.

The Chisinau Police Division said the medical examiner didn’t find visible signs on the baby’s body. The body was taken to the Center of Forensic Medicine for finding out the exact cause of death.

Criminal proceedings were instituted. Steps are being taken to identify the mother. The Chisinau Children’s Rights Protection Division was notified of this case.

According to data of the General Police Inspectorate, four cases of infanticide were examined last year, under Article 17 of the Penal Code. The newborns were killed during delivery or immediately after being born by mothers who suffered temporarily from a mental disorder.  Infanticide carries a penalty of up to five years in jail.

There were also eight cases of leaving of children in danger and two of the children died. Under the Penal Code, the intentional leaving in danger of a person who cannot save oneself due to early age is punished with a fine of up to 27,500 lei, 180 to 240 hours of community service or up to two years in jail. The same deed that results in serious bodily injury or death of the victim because of imprudence is punished with up to four years in jail.