A Dutch woman has been arrested on suspicion of killing four of her babies and hiding them in suitcases in the attic, police said.


The human remains were found in the 25-year-old woman's home in the village of Nij Beets in the Friesland province.

Dutch police said the babies were believed to have been born between 2002 and 2010.

Suspicions were raised following reports that the woman was pregnant but had no children, police said.

She initially told police the babies had been adopted between 2002 and early 2010, but had no documents to prove it. She then told police she was "keeping them" in the attic and was arrested, he said.

Dutch prosecuting official Annete Bronsvoort told a press conference that police searched the woman's home on Thursday and took away four suitcases found in the attic.

Initial forensic tests revealed that "three of the suitcases each contain the remains of a baby", Ms Bronsvoort said. Tests were being carried out to determine how the babies had died, she added.

Shortly afterwards, prosecuting officials confirmed that the fourth suitcase was also found to contain a baby's remains.

The woman, who has not been named, was ordered to be held in custody for 14 days pending further investigation.

Police said the woman's parents, who live at the same address, had not been aware of the pregnancies and were not suspects.

Dutch media said the gruesome discovery had shocked the local community.

Last month, a French woman admitted killing eight of her newborn babies.

The remains of those infants were found at two addresses in the village of Villers-au-Tertre, near Lille.