A woman from Hawaii gave birth to her baby in downtown Hilo recently, but what she allegedly did next is absolutely shocking. Police say Ashley Aileen Maile Lum, 41, delivered the newborn on the sidewalk around 5 p.m. January 16, and then dragged the newborn by its umbilical cord through the streets. Panicked witnesses went for help in a desperate attempt to save the infant and the mother.
Lum, who is homeless, was reportedly known to locals and exhibited erratic behavior. Police took her into custody and to a hospital for treatment, but some worry that she will soon be back on the streets.
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The incident shocked witnesses.
Hilo police officers and Hawaii firefighters arrived on the scene in downtown Hilo near the intersection of Mamo Street and Keawe Street after receiving reports of a woman giving birth on the sidewalk, according to a media release posted on Facebook by the Hawaii Police Department.
"Responding medics located the woman with the baby still attached by the umbilical cord. Medics cut the cord and immediately began providing medical attention to the infant female, who was breathing, however was not moving. The baby was then transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room," the release reads.
Lum allegedly left the scene.
Per police, Lum walked away after medics detached the baby, but she was soon apprehended a short distance away. Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins told Island News that Lum is known to the police and that responding personnel tried to help her.
"She was initially arrested for abandonment of a child, but because she was admitted to the hospital, she ended up being released pending further investigation," he told the news outlet.
Locals talked about Lum.
A security officer, who was not named, told Island News that Lum has been in the area for at least a decade and was once hit by a car. He added that she often wanders in the middle of the street.
The security officer said that her behavior changes: Sometimes she is calm, and other times, she appears to be in an agitated state. He told the television station that he didn't think Lum knew she was pregnant.
Thankfully, the baby was fine.
Amon-Wilkins said the infant, a little girl, survived the chaotic birth and appeared to be OK. She is now in the care of the Department of Child Protective Services. He explained it was unclear what would happen to the baby's mother.
"It depends on what the charges are. Thankfully, you know, the baby was not really injured in this incident, which was initially reported that she was. So, you know, the baby girl is in good condition from what we've been told by the doctors," he said, according to Island News.
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According to one witness, Lum was unaware of what had happened.
A witness who was reportedly familiar with Lum told Island News about approaching the mother after her release from the hospital, and she seemingly did not know what had happened. Lum also reportedly refused accommodations at a shelter.
The incident is still under investigation, and it is unclear what charges Lum may face.
“In my almost 25 years, I’ve never seen a case like this,” Amon-Wilkins told the Messenger News.
