Mom in newborn death released

The mother of a newborn baby found dead under a shed in Johnston was released from police custody Wednesday afternoon, investigators confirmed.

They said 20-year-old Crystal Sullivan, formerly of Johnston, admitted to giving birth to the infant.  Sullivan now lives in Providence, according to police. However at this time, police have not charged her with a crime. Major Ralph Bubar said the decision to release Sullivan was made after a consulation with the Attorney General's office.

Investigators don't know exactly how old the infant was, but said the child was possibly just a few days old at the time of death.

According the Community College of Rhode Island's website , Sullivan is a sophomore at CCRI and plays goalie for the women's soccer team.

Police said Sullivan's mother, Diane Sullivan, found the baby's body in a plastic container, beneath her shed at her Jackson Avenue home at around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Neighbors said she investigated after smelling a foul for several days. 

Police then responded to the address Tuesday night and remained at the scene late into the evening. Eyewitnesses said the crime scene investigation van left about 10:15 p.m.

Police said they aren't sure when the baby was born or how long it was under the shed.  They said the baby's remains are in the custody of the state Medical Examiner, who is trying to determine how the infant died.