Ramiro De La Rosa battered his baby; Made to look like a Safe Haven fail

**thehesbomb** · September 23rd, 2009, 11:23 AM

Updated title now that more info about this has come out.

An infant was found dead outside a West Side fire station early Wednesday morning, nearly three hours after authorities said the child was left on the doorstep.

A San Antonio Fire Department spokeswoman said someone rang the doorbell of Fire Station 10, in the 1100 block of Culebra Road, around 4:30 a.m., but because no one was seen through the door's peep hole, the door wasn't opened.

“They didn't see or hear anything,” said Melissa Sparks, the spokeswoman, “And it is not procedure for them to open the door in the middle of the night.”

It wasn't until a paramedic went outside about 7 a.m. to retrieve the morning newspaper that the infant was found in a carrier, Sparks said.

Authorities did not say whether the infant's body had signs of trauma.

Authorities said the child is not a newborn but is younger than 1 year old.

The law designates fire departments as “safe baby sites” for infants up to 60 days old, but Sparks said anyone leaving a child there should make contact with someone else and physically hand the child to authorities.

No security cameras at the fire station recorded the incident, Sparks said.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/60671307.html

**SickenEd** · September 23rd, 2009, 11:41 AM

That is so sad. Poor baby. I would think that if someone were going to drop off their baby, they just might be too afraid to do it in person, and this would seem like a better scenario. Considering that firehouses are deemed as safe havens for babies to be dropped off at, wouldn't you think that maybe, just maybe you'd at least open the door and look around even if it's not procedure? IDK. Maybe that's just me..

R.I.P. little one

**myra manes** · September 23rd, 2009, 11:56 AM

No security cameras at the fire station recorded the incident, Sparks said.

WTF is up with that??
Why is there no camera pointed at the door of a fucking fire station???

**Awhell** · September 23rd, 2009, 06:01 PM

Shit.
So sorry, little one, you were so close.

**Veronica** · September 23rd, 2009, 06:14 PM

That is fucking stupid. It's not "procedure" to open the damn door at a fire station when someone rings the doorbell in the middle of the night? What are they, a bunch of frightened 90-year-old women? They need to change their dumbass "procedure."

This is a perfect example of how procedure doesn't always equal common sense. Jesus Christ!

We finally hear about someone at least trying to do the right thing, and this is what happens? Open the fucking door! If I was going to surrender my baby at a firehouse, I would definitely think that ringing the doorbell before taking off would be sufficient when firehouses are designated safe havens. The point of a safe haven is to be able to give a kid up with total anonymity.

The spokeswoman's attitude is seriously rubbing me the wrong way: "Yeah, the law says it's ok, but you should still hand the kid to someone directly. It's not our fault if you don't and the child dies because we don't always feel like opening the door!!"

Whatever!

**Marv** · September 23rd, 2009, 06:27 PM

So, the child was NOT a newborn. It was left outside for less than 3hours, and yet it died? It must have been sick, or neglected to start with, or something. Babies are usually tougher than that. Was it a cold night and the baby wasn't wrapped up?

It could already have been dead when it was left, too.

A lot of things conspired against the poor baby here. I can't really blame the firemen for not opening the door at 4.30am. There are a hell of a lot of fucked-up freaks in this world. A CCTV camera aimed at the door and hooked up to a monitor inside would maybe be a good idea, as firestations are 'safe havens'? Then they could see what was out there without having to open the door.

As for whoever left the baby, did they not hang around (at a distance) just to make sure the door was answered and the baby found? I know I would have if I were in that terrible position of having to give up my baby. They did try to do right by the baby, but would making absolutely sure it was found be so hard to do?

RIP little baby x

**drkeegee** · September 23rd, 2009, 06:28 PM

additional info:
10 wk old baby - teen, drug addicted parents

The baby weighed only a few pounds and had burns on the bottom of her feet.

Several hours later, police said they had identified the baby as 10-week-old Erica Laura Hernandez. Someone left a note with the baby which later helped detectives track down her parents.

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story...OM-Dj39cQ.cspx

I can understand their apprehension at opening their doors in a high crime area - but public servants should take some risk - cautiously.

**Silvahalo** · September 23rd, 2009, 06:43 PM

I'm guessing a very young infant as a crying older baby might have alerted someone....just breaks my heart.

The laws won't work if people are not all doing what they can do to bring a safe place to this child. I agree, the procedure failed in this case, and it wasn't the mother's fault. A simple look around outside would have made the difference between life an death for this sweet child.

They need to know that people see this as unacceptable, I see where my next letter is going. An oversight, maybe, poor judgment more likely. I don't think the firefighters who found baby will ever get over this. I'm hoping that is the motivation to make changes now so this will never happen again. I feel sorry for the mother as she must know her attempt to give up baby safely failed out of her hands.

EDIT: OMG! burned feet! I feel sorry for that baby so close, so damn close to a better life.... but that mother, damn, damn.....how can one burn a child's feet???? so sorry baby Jada, so sorryl.

Rest in peace Jayda De La Rosa....kisses.

**Veronica** · September 23rd, 2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by ohmarvellousme!

I can't really blame the firemen for not opening the door at 4.30am. x

I can. Quite easily, in fact.

Any fire fighter afraid to open a door because it's late needs to find a new profession, period. And if it wasn't an actual fireman who checked the door, well, that person needs to grow some balls as well. At the very least they could have called some more people over before opening the door.

And it was negligent in the first place not to have a camera set up.

**Silvahalo** · September 23rd, 2009, 06:54 PM

They came out last night, and I see the baby just laying in the stroller," the neighbor told News 4 WOAI. "And I guess she wasn't breathing or something. Because they just would come out at night. They wouldn't come out in the daytime."

Police now want to know if Erica was alive when she was dropped off at the fire station and why she was left there.

Sounds like baby was dead before they left her there at the fire station. 10 wks old and only a few pounds. These drugheads were token it up while baby was starving...and the burns, that just kills me. Sweet child born to complete, selfish, druggie losers, I guess this is what we can expect. She should have given up baby immediately.

So glad they found who did this as they have another young child that is likely abused and neglected too. My heart is so heavy. I've read this before, time and time again, but still, it just never gets easier.

Kisses Jayda.

**Silvahalo** · September 23rd, 2009, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Veronica

I can. Quite easily, in fact.

Any fire fighter afraid to open a door because it's late needs to find a new profession, period. And if it wasn't an actual fireman who checked the door, well, that person needs to grow some balls as well. At the very least they could have called some more people over before opening the door.

And it was negligent in the first place not to have a camera set up.

Agree completely Veronica, and I'm familiar with that part of town. I don't live there but close enough and visit often. Its not the nicest part of town but I wouldn't say it's so crime ridden that it would keep a FIRE FIGHTER from opening the door. Baby was likely dead but still.......

**AngelFire** · September 23rd, 2009, 07:09 PM

So sad for this little one. I don't know what to say to this, it's so tragic

**Pene784** · September 23rd, 2009, 09:24 PM

Sounds like baby was dead before they left her there at the fire station.

That is exactly what I was thinking too! I wonder if the M.E. will be able to determine how long the baby had been dead at the time she was found. I just can't seem to blame the firemen for this babies death, but I have no problem blaming her idiotic parents. There is just no possible way you can idiot proof every procedure or program and even if you tried this moronic mama would have found away to screw it up and fail her little one.

**skeptik** · September 23rd, 2009, 09:28 PM

The firermen were prolly drunk. My Dad was one, before he retired. It's a bit much to put the blame on them.

**Silvahalo** · September 23rd, 2009, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by skeptik

The firermen were prolly drunk. My Dad was one, before he retired. It's a bit much to put the blame on them.

Absolutely right. The sick fuck parents deserve the blame as we would not even be reading on a dead 10 wk. old found with burn feet at a fire station. So yeah, they get all the blame. STILL, as they serve the public, I would expect a peek around the outside when a doorbell rings even at 4am it could have been a dying person stabbed and looking for help. You just never know. Anyhow, that's my take on it.

**Zsu Zsu's Petals** · September 23rd, 2009, 11:42 PM

I agree that the baby was probably dead or near dead when she was abandoned~ but I think the fire department needs to rethink their policy regarding opening the door. What if it had been an adult who had been injured or had a seizure and fell down at the door step? Just because you can't see someone standing in front of a peep hole doesn't mean no one is there.

**MadeaBecBec** · September 24th, 2009, 09:06 AM

SAN ANTONIO -- A baby was found dead outside a fire station on San Antonio's west side early Wednesday morning.

The baby girl, identified as Jada De La Rosa by San Antonio police, was found in a car seat at about 7 a.m. by firefighters during a shift change at Fire Station No. 10, on Culebra Road, said San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood. It was not immediately clear if Jada De La Rosa was dead before she was dropped off, he said.

The child's father, identified as 18-year-old Ramiro De La Rosa, was arrested about 6:35 p.m. at the family's home on the 1800 block of North Navidad Street after a neighbor contacted police, said SAPD Officer Matt Porter. De La Rosa has been charged with causing injury to a child, but those charges could later be upgraded pending the medical examiner's investigation, Porter said.

Prior to De La Rosa's arrest, a man claiming to be the child's father left a note for the media outside his door stating Jada was alive when she was dropped off at the fire station.

The child's mother, a 16-year-old who has not been identified, is being questioned. She has not been charged.

The child, previously identified by SAPD as 10-week-old Erica Laura Hernandez in a midday news release, was later identified by SAPD spokeswoman Sandy Gutierrez as Jada De La Rosa. Porter said the child was 2 months old during an evening briefing.

The age distinction is important because the Baby Moses law allows children 60 days or younger to be dropped off at a safe haven station without criminal prosecution. Hood said for the Baby Moses act to be valid, parents must physically hand the child over to emergency officials and not leave them unsupervised.

The couple has a second child, a 1-year-old boy, who has been taken to the hospital for evaluation and will be placed in the care of Child Protective Services, Porter said.

http://www.ksat.com/news/21083142/detail.html

Poor Jada, never really had a chance, most likely born with drugs in her system and parents that didn't care. I believe Jada had already entered heaven, when her body was left on the Fire Station doorstep. Maybe, her brother will have a fighting chance, now! Mom being sixteen, brother was born to a fourteen year old drug addict???
Go with Jesus, Jada, And Fly!!

**Awhell** · September 24th, 2009, 09:28 AM

Well, I guess the only consolation is that she saved her big brother. So, her little life wasn't completely wasted by the asshats that birthed her.

**Misskittychaos** · September 24th, 2009, 09:50 AM

Poor Jada, but like many have already said I am going to assume she was either dead or on the brink prior to being left.

Ad for the firefighters if it is so unsafe to open the doors at night, GET CCTV! What if someone is having a freaking heart attack and slumps down after ringing the bell?!?

As for Skeptik saying:

The firermen were prolly drunk. My Dad was one, before he retired. It's a bit much to put the blame on them.

If they were that violates all the department rules I have ever seen! I Was engaged to a firefighter, I have friends and family that are firefighters and that shit isn't tolerated while working as far as the departments I know of. Further more if they were drunk, they need to be dealt with.

**Deep down fear** · September 24th, 2009, 10:11 AM

What happens after this? What happens to this little boy, whose sister had to die before someone helped him? Obviously relatives taking him in is out of the question as I'm sure if someone cared, he and his sister would be safe. I would take him in a heartbeat, but I live in Wisconsin and I'm sure Texas would have a problem with this. How would I find out if he is okay? I don't know, this story really gets me. I think I'm associating saving this boy with wishing above everything that I hold dear, that I could have saved Brianna Lopez (i'm sure all of you remember that story) if I knew her. IDK guys, I'm feeling crummy inside and need some reasurance that this boy is okay. Thanks

**Deep down fear** · September 24th, 2009, 10:14 AM

Silvahalo68, you live close by, help me with this. I atleast want to send him something from someone who loves him. I'm not some creepy person *laugh*, I'm a mom who is so sick and tired of reading these stories and not being able to do something about it. Know what I mean? Thanks.

**Silvahalo** · September 24th, 2009, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Deep down fear

Silvahalo68, you live close by, help me with this. I atleast want to send him something from someone who loves him. I'm not some creepy person *laugh*, I'm a mom who is so sick and tired of reading these stories and not being able to do something about it. Know what I mean? Thanks.

Deep down, I will see what I can find out but as baby boy is in CPS care now, its not like they will give us a contact address. I have a friend with the media, maybe, just maybe there is a way to find out how to send something to him.
I'm also sending a letter to the fire department, not all angry like, but certainly want to express my concerns with their policy. SA is about an hour drive from me, I'll think of baby Jada and baby Scotty too when ever I'm over there again....it just breaks my heart, these cases. I would have taken baby Jada in a heartbeat and given her a loving home. I always wanted to add a little girl to our family........sigh.....so sorry Jada.

**biteme** · September 24th, 2009, 05:44 PM

Parents to blame, not firefighters, we're all upset about a baby's death, but lets place the blame where it belongs, not on those that risk their life to save life

**Marv** · September 24th, 2009, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Veronica

I can. Quite easily, in fact.

Any fire fighter afraid to open a door because it's late needs to find a new profession, period. And if it wasn't an actual fireman who checked the door, well, that person needs to grow some balls as well. At the very least they could have called some more people over before opening the door.

And it was negligent in the first place not to have a camera set up.

No matter how big their balls were, they wouldn't protect them from a bullet or a knife. That policy is there to protect them from crazies. There are a lot of them out there.

Now, the absence of a CCTV camera at the door is another matter entirely. THAT is just plain stupid and wrong.

But the venom really needs to be directed at the loser, abusive, worthless parents and their family/community and especially CPS.

The mother was 16. The father was 18. Drug addicts. A one year old baby. A malnourished, physically abused infant.

WHERE THE FUCK WERE CPS?

WHERE WERE THE REST OF THE FAMILY?

WHERE WERE THE NEIGHBOURS?

Why were things allowed to get so bad for this baby? She should have been removed as soon as she was born, as should her brother. Or at the very least, they should have been CLOSELY monitored.

**Silvahalo** · September 24th, 2009, 05:57 PM

I agree marv and biteme, just think that policy should be revisited. It's not like we are talking about a church, its a fire station. They get my yearly donations so I think asking the to look at this policy is not asking a lot if it means possibly saving a life.

Oh, and a letter to CPS is also going out as I want to know wtf happened, how this could happen. We see this all the time but I say questions should always be asked in matters of children an their well being. I agree with a mother who is 16 and a druggie, and a father not much older and also on drugs, this baby didn't have much a chance at all....amazed they have a 1 yo. how in the world did he survive? Sickens me all of it. SO much failure from the start, and as I said, the parents are by far and foremost to blame.

Rest in peace baby Jada I hope your brother gets a better chance at life away from this death hole.

**Chaindrive** · September 24th, 2009, 06:28 PM

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, De La Rosa admitted he choked Jayda and slapped her across her face after becoming frustrated with her crying. The teen also said he had often slapped her when he got mad.

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story...KYUcHKp7w.cspx

In addition, the mom said the baby had stopped breathing and they took too long to get her to the fire station.