Brenham, TX

Update - January 24, 2023 - 12:53 pm

(UPDATE) Information for Media Release on Criminal Investigation, BPD Case Number 23-00142:

On Sunday, January 22, 2023, at approximately 4:45 PM, Brenham Police Officers were dispatched to Hohlt Park, located at 2425 North Park Street, to meet with potential witnesses who called about suspicious circumstances. Upon arrival, officers met with witnesses who reported seeing several subjects walking to the parking lot after emerging from the woods. One witness reported the demeanor and behavior of the subjects were concerning, which prompted the call to the police. Officers searched the area and discovered a shallow grave, which revealed the deceased body of what appeared to be a small human fetus.

Officers summoned Brenham Police Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators. A crime scene perimeter was established and evidence at the scene was collected and processed. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Dane Houston was summoned to the scene and an autopsy was ordered from the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner.

On Monday, January 24, 2023, “persons of interest” voluntarily arrived at Brenham Police headquarters to talk further with investigators, after seeing local media coverage of the incident. They had previously sought assistance at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Brenham. The delivery of the fetus was carried out by medical professionals and the intended mother was medically cared for and cleared for release. Under current state laws and the Texas Health and Safety Code, if the delivered fetus is under a certain threshold for weight and term of pregnancy, the remains may be released directly to the parents, if addressed appropriately by individual hospital policy, as well. Under those circumstances, medical professionals released the fetus to the mother, an adult.  

At present, the investigation has been turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for review. Investigators are also awaiting autopsy results. Due to statutory privacy concerns under the medical care provisions and statutes, identities will not be released. 

Update - January 23, 2023 - 11:36 am

(UPDATE)  The investigation is still underway with additional witnesses being interviewed. The fetus has been sent to the Fort Bend County Medical Examiners’ office for an autopsy. There is no additional information at this time. 

January 22,  2023 - 9:38 pm

On Sunday, January 22, 2023, at approximately 4:45 PM, Brenham Police Officers were dispatched to Hohlt Park, located at 2425 North Park Street, to meet with potential witnesses who called about suspicious circumstances. Upon arrival, officers met with witnesses who reported seeing several subjects walking to the parking lot after emerging from the woods. One witness reported the demeanor and behavior of the subjects was concerning, which prompted the call to police. Officers searched the area and discovered a shallow grave, which revealed the deceased body of what appeared to be a small human fetus.

Officers summoned Brenham Police Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators. A crime scene perimeter was established and evidence at the scene is being collected and processed. Washington County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Dane Houston was summoned to the scene and an autopsy has been ordered.