May 2, 2008 9:17 am US/Eastern
Baby Found Dead In Philly Possibly Linked To Balt.
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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The body of a child was found inside this storage shed in Philadelphia, and police believe that baby could be from Baltimore.
A mother's pain is felt by one woman after her daughter joined a Baltimore-based religious cult, and her grandson is found dead.
Mike Hellgren reports that mother has an emotional message to share.
Unbearable pain for the Baltimore family of a missing boy who waits to hear whether he is indeed the tiny body found outside a home in South Philadelphia.
"That little baby was my life. I watched that baby come into the world, and I helped my daughter raise that baby," said Seeta Newton.
Acting on a tip, Baltimore police worked with Philadelphia police to obtain a search warrant.
Now they're waiting for DNA tests to confirm the link to the Baltimore case.
The body was stuffed inside a suitcase with fabric softener and blankets to cover the odor.
Newton last saw her grandson two years ago when she says her daughter joined a cult living on Robinson Street in East Baltimore.
She says the religious group shunned formal health care and education.
Sources reveal to
Eyewitness News cult members dressed in white and gold targeted young women with children then told them their families were full of demons and they had to instantly cut contact.
"She didn't answer the phone, and every call after that she never answered. They had taken the phone away from her," said Newton. "I don't trust them."
Sources say the cult was centered on worship of the founders and that even the babies would be forced to fast.
The baby found in Philadelphia may have starved to death.
"Once you get in there, you become their slave," said Newton. "She loved her son. She took care of that baby. She guarded that baby with her life."
Newton is now praying her grandson is still alive. She's waiting for any news on whether the body in Philadelphia really is the bright-eyed boy close to her heart.
Police have not given a timeline on when the DNA testing will be completed.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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