Abandoned newborn found on trail by Texas family
A family walking on a trail in Texas this weekend was shocked to discover an abandoned newborn baby wrapped in a towel.
Authorities reported that the baby, found Saturday evening, was “freshly born” with remnants of the umbilical cord still attached.
The family promptly contacted emergency services.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office stated on Saturday that the baby was in stable condition at a hospital in Katy, Texas.
An “unknown male” had left the baby on a small bridge, according to the sheriff’s office, but no suspect had been identified yet.
Around 9:00 local time, Daniela Fedele was walking on the trail with her husband, three-year-old daughter, and their dogs when she noticed something unusual.
“I saw two little feet moving…and I screamed to my husband, ‘Oh my god, a baby, a baby!’” Ms. Fedele recounted to local television station KHOU. Her husband quickly called emergency services.
The family hurried to pick up the baby and find some shade. Weather forecasts for the area indicated temperatures reached a high of 96F (35.5C) that day.
“This image has been going on through my head so many times,” Ms Fedele said. “How can you do that?”
Texas’ Safe Haven Act, also known as the Baby Moses Law, allows parents who feel they cannot take care of their baby to bring it to a fire station, hospital, or emergency medical services station. Babies surrendered under the law must be 60 days old or younger and unharmed.
The sheriff’s office said after the baby was examined and treated by doctors, Texas’ Child Protective Services agency would step in.
The individual who aban
abandoned the baby could face charges of abandoning and endangering a child.
