Mother of dead fetus arraigned for shoplifting

The 17-year-old girl found carrying a dead fetus at a midtown Victoria's Secret could face more than shoplifting charges depending on the results of an autopsy.

The teen mother of the dead baby boy, Tiana Rodriguez of Brooklyn, and a friend, 17-year-old Francis Estevez of Glendale, pleaded not guilty during their arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court Saturday afternoon on charges of petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. Newsday reported Friday that results of the autopsy, which are pending on toxicology and tissue tests, will help determine whether there is evidence of homicide. A representative did not return request for comment yesterday.

The gruesome contents of Rodriguez's shopping bag were discovered at the Herald Square location of Victoria's Secret on Oct. 17 around 1:30 p.m. by a theft prevention employee who thought the two teens were stealing merchandise.

After noticing a strong odor coming from Rodriguez's bag, the employee discovered the body of the baby. Rodriguez had been holding a pair of pants worth $44.50, while Estevez was caught with nearly $200 worth of clothing and beauty items, according to complaints.

A defense attorney for Rodriguez did not return request for comment.