Tennessee tragedy: Infant abandoned in front yard; four bodies found at nearby home, probe under way

Authorities in Tennessee are looking into a potential connection between two disturbing incidents after a seven-month-old baby was found abandoned in a car seat, and four people were discovered dead in a nearby home.

According to a statement from the Dyer County Sheriff's Office , deputies were called out just after 3:00 pm on July 29 following reports of an infant left alone outdoors. The child was spotted in a car seat in the front yard of a residence near Tigrett, a community in western Tennessee near the Arkansas border.

The homeowner, who is not the child’s parent, contacted law enforcement after seeing the baby, local station WMC-TV reported.

In a Facebook update, the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office said, “a dark-colored minivan or a white mid-size SUV was reported to have dropped off” the infant.

Later the same day, the Dyer County Sheriff's Office revealed they were also working with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to investigate a crime scene in Lake County, where four people were found dead.

The identities of the infant and the four deceased individuals have not yet been released. However, officials say the two cases may be connected, USA Today reported.

“This is a deeply saddening day for our community. We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served,” Sheriff Jeff Box said in a statement.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the FBI are now involved in the ongoing investigation.