The body of a premature infant weighing less than one kilogram disappeared from a hospital in Böblingen near Stuttgart, prompting a police investigation for disturbing the peace of the dead, authorities said Thursday.
An undertaker noticed the body was missing from the morgue's cold room, triggering a search that ended when cadaver dogs located the remains at an external laundry service provider. Police said they believe laundry workers accidentally took the body, though the remains were reportedly found dismembered. The parents filed a criminal complaint, and a DNA identification process is underway.
Klinikverbund Südwest, the hospital operator, expressed regret over the incident. Ludwigsburg police said no comparable case is known to them.