800 Dead Babies in Irish Septic Tank

More than five decades after a home for unwed mothers in western Ireland closed, the bodies of 800 babies have been found in a makeshift mass grave in the property’s septic tank. From 1925 to 1961, the Bon Secours nuns in Tuam ran the home for “fallen women” to come and give birth. Local historian Catherine Corless found that there were serious issues of neglect toward the children and many died of tuberculosis, measles, and malnutrition. “If you look at the records, babies were dying two a week, but I’m still trying to figure out how they could [put the bodies in a septic tank],” Corless said. “Couldn’t they have afforded baby coffins?” Today a playground stands where the home once did.