Twin infants were found by a dumpster Tuesday in Fairfield, and one did not survive, according to police. Now the mother may face criminal charges.

Police said the babies were found in the 300 block of Pittman Road in Fairfield, a city about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento.

Around 4:11 p.m., Fairfield officers responded to a call regarding a woman behind a business in the 300 block of Pittman Road. An employee who called also told dispatchers two infants were with her and appeared to have been recently birthed on the sidewalk behind the businesses, police said.

Arriving officers searched the area and located the two newborns, but no mother.

The first officer who arrived immediately started life-saving efforts on one of the newborns and turned care over to the fire department, police said. That infant was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition.

The other infant was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Officers searched the area and found the mother nearby on Central Place, and based on their observations, it appeared she had recently given birth, police said. The mother was detained and taken to a hospital for treatment.

Fairfield police say they are still trying to understand what led the woman to give birth in the back lot of a business center.

The mother and surviving baby were recovering at a hospital. Those who live in the area were shaken by the incident.

"When you see her, we’ve seen her here, it just breaks my heart. I wish there was something I could have done," said Cindy Pace, who added that she has seen the pregnant woman panhandling in the area for weeks and believes the woman is mentally ill. "I hope they don’t bring charges against her, I really hope they don’t. I hope there’s some compassion for her."

Police said they have located some of the woman’s relatives. It’s unclear who will get custody of the child.

NBC Bay Area's Jodi Hernandez contributed to this report.