Police are investigating after a 15-year-old girl gave birth at Aldridge Elementary School and the newborn was pronounced dead at the scene.
CHICAGO — A newborn died after a 15-year-old girl gave birth Wednesday afternoon at an elementary school on Chicago’s Far South Side, authorities said, as detectives continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the birth and death.
The girl gave birth around 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at Aldridge Elementary School, 630 E. 131st St., in the Riverdale neighborhood, according to Chicago police and published reports citing the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. The newborn was pronounced dead at the school. The teenager was taken to a hospital in good condition, police said.
Authorities had released few details by Friday about what happened before or immediately after the birth. Police have not publicly identified the 15-year-old, and her identity is being withheld because she is a minor. Officials also have not said whether she is a student at Aldridge Elementary or explained why she was at the school when she gave birth.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office listed 630 E. 131st St., the school’s address, as the location of the newborn’s death. Authorities had not publicly released a cause or manner of death in reports reviewed Friday. Earlier reporting said an autopsy was scheduled for Thursday, but no verified autopsy findings were available in the latest reports reviewed.
Chicago police said detectives were investigating the death. Authorities have not publicly described the newborn’s condition at birth or released medical information explaining what caused the death. Those unanswered questions leave the circumstances surrounding the case unclear.
It also remained unknown who was present when the girl gave birth, when school employees became aware of the medical emergency or what assistance was provided before emergency responders arrived. Chicago Public Schools had not provided a detailed public account of the incident in the initial reports.
The teenager was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital and was reported to be in good condition after the birth, according to police information reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. NBC Chicago and ABC7 Chicago also reported that she was hospitalized in good condition while the newborn was pronounced dead at the school.
Police have not announced findings explaining how the newborn died or disclosed additional circumstances surrounding the birth. The investigation remained ongoing as authorities worked to establish what happened and awaited any further medical findings or official information.
Author note: Last updated October 30, 2026.