Newborn baby abandoned outside of Valley home

by Bob McClay/KTAR (February 9th, 2012 @ 8:59am)

The house where the child was left is shown. (Photo: Bob McClay/KTAR)

PHOENIX - Phoenix police are looking for the mother of a newborn baby girl that was dropped off at a home in north Phoenix Tuesday afternoon.

Phoenix Fire Spokesman Scott McDonald said it happened at a home near Seventh Avenue and Greenway.

"The homeowner came home about 3:30 [p.m.]," said McDonald. "She saw a towel in the front yard, and wasn't sure what it was. Then she saw the towel move. She went over there, and, sure enough, there was a newborn baby girl in there."

The baby, who police said they have "affectionately" nicknamed "Baby Kathleen," was estimated to be between three and six hours old. The umbilical cord was still attached. The baby was rushed to a nearby hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Police are still looking for the mother.

Chara Salazar said that she spoke with police, and told them she and her friend saw something unsusual when they were driving past nearby Lookout Mountain Elementary school.

"We saw a girl who was pregnant walking this [in the direction of the home]," said Salazar. "She was holding her back and looked like she was in stress."

Phoenix police described the girl as a 17-to-24-year-old Hispanic.

That women has since been contacted by the police and has been found to not have any connection with the baby.

The house where "Baby Kathleen" was left is on a corner lot. Neighbor James Appleton said it's ironic that the baby was dropped off at that particular home.

"That's where our children get dropped off," said Appleton. "Right there at the corner is a school bus stop. [The baby was let] at about the same time that our kids get dropped off on a daily basis."

McDonald took the opportunity to let people know that unwanted babies may be dropped off at numerous locations, should the parents be unable to care for them.

"The message we'd like to get out is that there are safe places to drop newborn babies where no questions are asked," he said. "Those range from fire stations to hospitals to police stations."

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Phoenix Police Department Violent Crimes Bureau at (602) 262-6141 or Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS.


Last 5 Comments

  • Reply Abuse Vote
    I'll be willing to bet
    redcav1
    that this unfit mother is an illegal....any takers?
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    This would be an awesome time
    Mallard
    To mention that anyone giving birth to an unwanted baby can give the child up at any fire station or hospital with no consequences. The child will be safe. The mother will not be prosecuted for anything.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    Thank you j9nd200
    Jill H
    There is a baby with a chance to be raised by someone that wants her and loves her. She is precious and not hurt or dead. Let's be happy the baby is okay. But I've stopped caring about comments on here because they're all about hatred and racism.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    in addition...
    texaz1978
    As I said in the interview, the school bus drops my kids off at that corner every day and it would stand to reason, unless it was pure luck, that the mother knew that parents would be there shortly. Either way, having not taken advantage of the Safe Haven law elevates this act to a crime and the police should absolutely look for the mother, if not for what she did, for her health at this point. It was a surreal situation and incomprehensible to most of us.
  • Reply Abuse Vote
    I live 4 houses down
    texaz1978
    I agree that the baby is in safe hands now and should be adopted as soon as possible. I think that the major issue is that the 2001 Safe Haven law is apparently not communicated well to those that may be in that situation. It's easy to speculate, but most adults know about this law. It's possible that teenagers are not aware of it yet.
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