 "An 18-year-old American woman allegedly threw her newborn baby out of a hotel window, leading to the infant’s death. Image for Representation. Pixabay")
A horrifying tragedy unfolded in the heart of Paris when an 18-year-old American woman allegedly threw her newborn baby out of a hotel window, leading to the infant’s death.
The shocking incident occurred at the Ibis Styles hotel in the French capital on Monday morning, where the teenager, part of a gap-year program, is believed to have given birth alone in her room. Moments later, the newborn—still attached to the umbilical cord—was found lifeless on the pavement below.
Disturbed by screams, witnesses quickly raised the alarm. Emergency services arrived promptly, but despite their efforts, the infant could not be saved. The young woman was arrested soon after.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, trying to understand what led to such a horrifying act.
Here’s a closer look at this heart-wrenching case.
What happened?
After the shocking discovery of the newborn, police arrived at the scene and immediately took the teenager into custody. Authorities are now treating the case as a homicide involving a minor under the age of 15.
According to AP, the young woman had been staying at the hotel with a “group of young adults travelling in Europe” as part of EF Gap Year, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based programme that provides educational experiences for students taking time off before college.
Investigators believe she gave birth in her second-floor hotel room before allegedly attempting to dispose of the child.
The distressing scene that followed drew the attention of several officials, including representatives from the prosecutor’s office. Shock and disbelief spread among locals as they tried to process what had happened.
“It’s difficult to believe that this happened here. No one knows if the mother did it deliberately or not, and everyone is shaken. It’s like a nightmare, something you never want to see, especially not in your own street,” an unnamed witness told The Times.
Maria, a local resident, recalled the chaotic moments after the discovery. Speaking to CNN, she said, “There were police cars and ambulances. We thought it might be gang-related, but when we learned what had happened, we were devastated. I’ve lived here for over 30 years, and it’s a quiet neighbourhood with very few tourists. It’s so sad.”
A spokesperson for the mayor of the 20th arrondissement confirmed that the baby was initially found alive inside a trash can near the hotel. Emergency responders rushed the infant to Paris Children’s Hospital, Necker, but despite their best efforts, the baby did not survive.
What was the motive?
As police question the young woman, investigators are looking into whether she may have been experiencing pregnancy denial—a rare but serious psychological condition.
According to Medical.net, pregnancy denial occurs when a woman is unaware of or refuses to acknowledge that she is pregnant, sometimes right up until childbirth. The condition can lead to extreme distress, particularly when the baby arrives unexpectedly.
Paris Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that the young woman was taken to the hospital to undergo an operation after giving birth and was subsequently placed under police custody.
The US Paris Embassy told The Independent, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the recent tragedy involving the loss of a young life. We are aware of reports of the arrest of a US citizen in France and are closely monitoring this case.”
What is cryptic pregnancy?
According to WebMD, pregnancy denial, also known as cryptic pregnancy , is a condition where a woman remains unaware of her pregnancy until very late in the term—or even until she goes into labour. It is estimated to occur in approximately 1 in 500 pregnancies.
Women experiencing cryptic pregnancy often have little to no typical pregnancy symptoms. Some may mistake implantation bleeding or abnormal pregnancy-related bleeding for a regular period, while others may not gain noticeable weight, making it even harder to recognise the pregnancy.
In extreme cases, such as this one, pregnancy denial can lead to dangerous or even fatal outcomes. Experts warn that early detection and psychological support are crucial in preventing such tragedies.
With input from agencies