Police are looking for the person who dropped an hour-old baby off at the Pediatric Center on the 3400 block of Alameda.
An anonymous call tipped off police that the newborn had been left there. Police found the baby around 3:30 Sunday morning and immediately took the one-hour-old baby boy to Driscoll Children's Hospital.
Police said he's in good condition, but the search for the mother is on.
The baby had been wrapped in a blanket, placed in a storage bin and left in front of the building. There was a note attached to him that read, "I was born at 2:30 this morning and my mom cannot take care of me. Please help me."
Besides that note, police also have a call to the department's non-emergency call from a woman telling them about the baby. Investigators suspect that caller was the mother, but what they really need is for someone to come forward.
"It's important for the mother to understand that everybody cares, and there must have been something traumatic that brought this about. But, the point is that she would be doing herself a favor and would be doing the right thing to step up," CCPD Homicide Lt. Isaac Valencia said.
However, no matter how traumatic the episode, police said there may still be consequences for the mother. Police said because the Pediatric Center was closed, the act of leaving the child there was illegal.
"There are consequences. The range is anything from a state jail felony to as high as a second degree felony, depending on what elements are applied," Valencia stated.
Valencia said because the baby is in good health, a DNA sample could also be taken soon in case a blood relative contacts police.
Police said they'll continue to work with Child Protective Services to find the baby's parents and ensure the safety of the child.
"The baby will probably be kept at the hospital until a determination is made on whether the baby is going to be placed in foster care," Valencia said.
Valencia also said the Texas Penal Code allows a person to drop a baby off who is under 60 days old at any emergency care facility, such as a fire or police station.
Police are asking anyone with any information to please call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS.
Police are checking the center's surveillance cameras and others in the area to see if they caught anything suspicious on tape. Currently, Child Protective Services will begin procedures to take custody of the child until the baby is placed in a foster home.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks