The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of an infant found inside a garbage can outside a convenience store in Waterford.

The discovery was made at 9:22 p.m. Thursday at the Bait Barn at 12505 Yosemite Blvd. in Waterford.

A man was searching for aluminum in the small garbage cans near the gas pumps when he made the gruesome discovery. The infant was wrapped in a blanket and appeared deceased, said sheriff spokesman Sgt. Anthony Bejaran.

The man called 911 and fire personnel responded and pronounced the infant dead.

The sheriff’s department has not stated if the infant was a boy or a girl. It’s unknown if the infant was born alive or stillborn. An autopsy was scheduled for Friday afternoon.

Bejaran said detectives had little information to pursue. They were reviewing surveillance video from the store to try and determine who left the infant.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Jon McQueary at 525-7099. Callers can also leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward.