PHOENIX, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The baby of a woman found killed in Phoenix is safe in California, police said Sunday.
Heaven Marie Smith, 7 months old, was turned over to Los Angeles County social services Friday, Detective Bryan Cluff of the Maricopa County (Ariz.) Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit told The Arizona Republic.
The body of her mother, Brittany Jasmine Hines, 19, of Lancaster, Calif., was found covered in brush by dove hunters in Phoenix Saturday.
"She was safe and sound before we found the body," Cluff said.
Mother and child were in Arizona together, the detective said. What they were doing there and how the baby turned up in California are among many mysteries in the case, the newspaper said. It also is unknown where the woman was killed.
Cluff said investigators are searching for the person who dropped off the baby.
Police had feared the worst for Heaven.
"We are relieved that the baby is safe so we can turn our focus solely on the homicide," Cluff said.
The last day Hines is known to have been alive is Dec. 15. She had been dead less than two days when discovered. An autopsy is scheduled Monday.
