Police: No 'Crime' When Fetus Found in Jar in Pennsylvania

SYKESVILLE, Pa. -- State police say no "criminal violations" occurred when a human fetus was found inside a mason jar when troopers went to investigate an animal care complaint at a western Pennsylvania apartment.

State police in Dubois say they went to the Sykesville address Tuesday night after the landlord complained that tenants had not cared for a dog left alone in the apartment. A caretaker found the mason jar, which state police seized for further investigation while local police investigated the animal complaint.

State police tell the Punxsutawney Spirit they're not prosecuting because they say a state law requiring burial for fetuses over 16 weeks gestation doesn't apply in this case.

Jefferson County District Attorney Jeff Burkett says he's not commenting on the case, and the state police are not releasing names of the tenants because on charges resulted.