A 57-year-old pathologist has been arrested after construction workers discovered the remains of more than 30 unborn babies buried in the garden of her former property in Poland on June 10, 2026.

The shocking find was made when construction crews excavating a driveway at a residential property in Lutoryż, a village in southeastern Poland near the city of Rzeszów. The unborn babies were uncovered by the excavator, sparking panic and an immediate emergency response that transformed the once-peaceful neighborhood into a full-scale forensic zone.

The suspect, identified by Polish media as Magdalena H., allegedly told investigators that she took the fetal remains from a hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and used them for medical research at home. The pathologist claimed she placed the remains in bags and buried them on the property after the alleged examinations.

Magdalena H., a former resident of the location, was apprehended in Zamość on Friday, June 12, following the launch of an extensive investigation into the disturbing find. Authorities determined that the current residents of the five-acre site are a young couple who bought it from Magdalena.

Prosecutors revealed they were first alerted after chilling reports of medical waste, including paraffin blocks and microscope slides, being discovered on the property. Among the debris was a human fetus and other remains that could have been early-stage human fetuses or their fragments, according to prosecutor Krzysztof Ciechanowski.

Specialists arrived at the location and verified that the discovered materials were human fetal remains. Prosecutors announced on Saturday, June 13, that the remains of 32 human fetuses had been discovered at the site, though some Polish media outlets have reported the number could be between 50 and 100 fetal remains.

Medical materials found on the scene included tubes, microscope slides and potential hospital records. Authorities also seized containers and documents that appeared connected to hospital records. Paraffin blocks used by pathologists, which are typically employed in tissue preservation and examination, were discovered alongside the bodies.

Forensic crews were seen sifting through the soil around the house, and a waterworks truck was brought in to examine drains and sewer systems for evidence. Police tents, specialist teams in white protective suits and heavy machinery flooded the scene as the investigation unfolded.

Magdalena H. faces accusations of desecrating human remains and improperly disposing of hazardous waste in an unauthorized location. She will remain in custody until September 10, 2026. The most serious charge under investigation carries a maximum prison sentence of up to 12 years.

Investigators are looking into whether there are more burial sites and any accomplices. Prosecutors are checking whether other people were involved in moving, handling or disposing of the remains. Local reports indicate that investigators suspect the case may not be limited to one property.

The District Prosecutor’s Office in Rzeszów is examining potential offenses related to the desecration of human remains and the unlawful disposal of hazardous medical waste.

Magdalena H. is described as having no previous criminal record. Magdalena reportedly bought the property two years ago before selling it six months ago. A local resident described her as “a bit strange.” The quiet village was plunged into chaos following the grisly discovery, with police refusing to comment publicly as the investigation continues.

Ewa Kaznowska, a professor and provincial consultant in the field of pathology in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, said that if a family refuses to collect and bury a fetus, the fetuses or their parts are stored, and then collected twice a year by the city or town conducting the mass burial. The materials are recorded, and details about the burial are published.

The shocking nature of the discovery has sent ripples through the local community and raised broader questions about medical ethics, the handling of fetal remains and oversight of pathological work conducted outside official hospital settings. The presence of specialized materials, along with microscope slides and what appear to be hospital documentation, has raised serious questions about how the suspect obtained the fetal remains and what procedures, if any, were followed. Authorities continue to investigate all aspects of the case as they build their prosecution.