Fetus Found at Sumter County Water Treatment Plant

Autopsy reveals more details about the discovery

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A fetus was recently discovered by workers at a water treatment plant in Sumter County, South Carolina. An autopsy has now provided more details about the discovery, including that the fetus was male and between 13-15 weeks of gestational age. The coroner has ruled the death as a stillborn, noting that it is not being classified as a legal death since the fetus was premature and never took a breath.

Why it matters

The discovery of the fetus at the water treatment plant has raised concerns and questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities are now working to determine the race of the fetus and locate the mother through further testing and investigation.

The details

On Friday morning, workers at a water treatment plant on Edgehill Road in Sumter County reported finding a fetus. An autopsy conducted by Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker found that the fetus was male and between 13-15 weeks of gestational age. The autopsy also determined there was no trauma and the death is being ruled as a stillborn, though it will not be classified as a legal death since the fetus was premature and never took a breath.

  • The fetus was discovered by workers on Friday morning.
  • The autopsy was conducted on Monday.

The players

Robbie Baker

The Sumter County Coroner who conducted the autopsy on the fetus.

Anthony Dennis

The Sumter County Sheriff who has requested help from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division in the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“The autopsy found the fetus was a male and the gestational age was between 13 and 15 weeks. He added that the autopsy found there was no trauma and it is being ruled a stillborn death.”

— Robbie Baker, Sumter County Coroner

What’s next

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division will be testing tissue samples from the fetus to determine the race and locate the mother. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.

The takeaway

This discovery has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the fetus and the need for further investigation to determine what happened. It highlights the importance of proper disposal of remains and the need for support services for mothers facing difficult situations.