Two Newborns Found Dead Inside a Chicago Daycare’s Bathroom, Mother Had ‘Emergency Medical Situation’

Employees of a Chicago daycare found two newborn babies unresponsive in a bathroom at a center and their mother covered in blood.

Police responded to Bernice Lavin Early Childhood Education Center on the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus around 7 p.m. Thursday after receiving a call about the newborns being found, PEOPLE reported.

Per CBS News, the babies were taken to Lurie Children’s Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

WLS-TV News reported that sources close to the investigation said that a 29-year-old woman was found “covered in blood” in a first-floor bathroom of the childcare facility. She was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and underwent surgery.

The woman, who is a daycare employee, “abruptly left class” before going to the bathroom and was eventually found by her co-workers inside.

“An emergency medical situation involving a daycare employee occurred last night at the daycare facility on the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus,” a statement from the hospital read. “No daycare children were involved or impacted by the situation. The Chicago Fire and Police Departments were called. We are working with CPD regarding this incident and are unable to comment further at this time.”

A statement from the childcare center said that the medical emergency “resulted in the unanticipated delivery of newborn twin babies.”

“We are heartbroken by the tragic situation that occurred at the Bernice E. Lavin Childhood Education Center,” the statement read. “We will be providing emotional and mental health support to all members of our center team and families. We ask for support and respect for everyone involved at this time as we grieve together and work to support each other and any ensuing investigation.”