A fetus was found in the bathroom of a popular restaurant in Lower Saucon Township this morning, rattling employees and bringing in police and the medical examiner to investigate.
A Starters Pub employee found the fetus inside a toilet at Starters Pub along Pa. Route 378 in Bethlehem, Pa. around 10 a.m.
Pub owner David Rank told NBC10's Doug Shimell that the worker was going through the morning routine of cleaning the women's restroom when one of the toilets started giving the employee trouble. The employee opened up the top of the tank to investigate.
"Inside the tank was a fetus," said Rank, who was so shaken up at one point, he could hardly talk.
"I'm a very religious guy, unbeknownst to most people," Rank said, choking up.
After the discover, employees at the sports bar called Rank who in turn called Lower Saucon Police.
The pub didn't open as scheduled at 11 a.m. At least three Lower Saucon Township Police vehicles could be seen parked outside the sports-themed pub late Monday morning. The Northampton County Coroner’s office was also on the scene.
Rank said that his employee was very shaken after the discovery and needed consoling.
"My biggest concern are for my employees, the mother, the baby -- I just want everybody to say prayers for those people," said an emotional Rank.
He said diners and sports fans watching preseason football patronized the bar last night.
Rank said police were checking restaurant surveillance for any possible clue about who left the fetus in the toilet.
Investigators wearing gloves were seen entering and exiting Starters with bags of evidence.
The investigation wrapped up a little before 1 p.m. and Rank opened Starters for business.
Starters Pub is a popular spot in the Lehigh Valley and served as a landmark location for Eagles fans headed up to training camp since its founding in 2000 until the team moved training camp back to Philly this season.
Photo Credit: NBC10