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Several dead babies found in Winnipeg storage unit

Police are investigating the discovery of "three or four" dead infants found in a U-Haul storage locker in Canada.

By Gabrielle Levy

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- As many as four dead infants were found in a Winnipeg U-Haul storage facility Monday, police said in the southern Manitoba city said.

U-Haul employees at a storage locker in the city's West Alexander neighborhood contacted Winnipeg police after they discovered "three or four" bodies in various states of decomposition.

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"The business itself contacted us regarding these suspicious circumstances," Const. Eric Hofley said during a press conference Tuesday. "The remains were located within a storage locker."

"The remains were in a state such as it's not obvious yet exactly whether we are dealing with four separate remains or three," he said. "That will be determined at autopsy."

Hofley described the bodies as newborns or "of a very young age... certainly not children."

Razmin Mansoub, president of U-Haul of Central Canada, said facility staff were taking an inventory of a delinquent storage locker when they discovered the remains and called police around 1 p.m. Monday.

"U-Haul is deeply shocked and saddened by this discovery," a statement from the company said. "Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, U-Haul cannot comment with any further details. We will continue to fully co-operate with authorities."

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Hofley said members of the Winnipeg Police Service's child abuse unit are speaking with a number of people, attempting to determine if there was foul play. Autopsies will attempt to determine if the babies were born alive.

Regardless of how the babies died, Hofley said, a crime has definitely been committed.

"Obviously, you're not allowed to store or conceal human remains," he said. "That in itself would be a charge."

Police are expected to release further details Wednesday.

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