A woman has been arrested after the bodies of more than 30 babies were found on a property by construction workers conducting earthworks.

Construction workers discovered “medical waste” in a garden in the south-eastern Polish village of Lutoryż, which prosecutors later said were the bodies of 32 fetuses, according to Polish media outlet TVP World.

The former owner of the property, a 57-year-old pathologist referred to as ‘Magdalena H’, was arrested in Zamość which is a 2.5-hour drive away from Lutoryż.

It is believed Magdalena H told police she conducted “medical research” on the babies’ bodies after removing them from a hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pathologist then allegedly transferred the remains to ‘sacks’ which were then buried.

Other medical equipment including microscope slides, tubes, containers, and even documents thought to be hospital records were also located on the property, according to police.

“As established so far, these items were found during earthworks on the property,” police prosecutor Krzysztof Ciechanowski said.

“Among the waste there was also a human fetus and other remains that could constitute human fetuses in an early stage of development or their fragments.”

Local media reports say that while Magdalena H has been the only person arrested so far, police prosecutors suspect there may be more burial sites.

Police are also investigating whether other people were involved.

It is believed Magdalena H would face charges regarding the desecration of human remains, as well as illegally disposing hazardous or medical waste.

The maximum sentence is 12 years in prison, according to TVP World.