Dead baby found at Minam park

Medical Examiner Dr. Renne Grandi, accompanied by a Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department deputy, investigates a baby discovered dead at Minam State Park Monday afternoon. - Katy Nesbitt/The Observer

The body was found a half a mile from the Minam State Park campground on the southbound side of the road.

The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department was notified at approximately 12:15 p.m. of the discovery. Sheriff Fred Steen, who in a press conference this morning said the body was that of a “near full-term baby,’’ said foul play is suspected and persons of interest are being interviewed. No one is in custody.

No other details were provided at this morning’s press conference. Steen said he would issue a press release later.

Five Sheriff’s Department and two Oregon State Police vehicles were on the scene Monday as well as Wallowa County District Attorney Mona Williams. Wallowa County Medical Examiner Dr. Renee Grandi arrived at the crime scene at 2:07 p.m.

The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department is taking the lead on the investigation with assistance from the Wallowa, Union and Baker County Major Crimes Team. The Major Crimes Team consists of the sheriff’s department, the Oregon State Police and La Grande Police.

The State Medical Examiner in Portland will conduct an autopsy in the next few days, Steen said.

Fishers in the vicinity were being interviewed Monday and the crime scene was blocked off from incoming and outgoing traffic to the campground during the initial investigation.

This is prime steelhead fishing season and the Minam State Park experiences a lot of traffic this time of year. With reported record numbers of steelhead and mild temperatures, the Wallowa has been fished quite heavily in the past few weeks.