A gas station worker in Fullerton, California, made a horrifying discovery on March 9 while checking the restrooms. Inside one of the trash cans, concealed in a plastic bag, was a newborn baby less than two hours old. The baby, identified as a boy, was still alive and reportedly crying when he was discovered, KCAL reported.
According to a statement from the Fullerton Police Department, officers were called to the scene at 3:35 p.m. and "located a newborn within a trashcan inside of the restroom. Officers immediately began lifesaving measures." Following the arrival of the fire department and medical personnel, the infant was taken to a nearby children's hospital.
Police immediately began to search for the infant's mother.
By the time police and medical personnel arrived, the child's mother or whomever left him in the trash can had left. Using security camera footage and descriptions of the vehicle, the police quickly identified 25-year-old Venissa Maldonado of Fullerton as the primary suspect, according to KCAL.
Maldonado was arrested at her home, following the execution of a search warrant, at 1:45 a.m. the next day. She has been charged with attempted murder and felony child abuse and was still in custody, KCAL reported.
Despite the arrest, much about the circumstances of the case remains unknown.
It has not yet been confirmed if Maldonado was the one who gave birth to the child. Even though Maldonado's home was close to the gas station, it has not been confirmed if the child was born at her home, at the gas station, or in another location.
Also unclear is whether the woman acted alone or if there were any other people, such as the baby's father, involved in the abandonment of the newborn.
This case serves as a reminder of the existence of safe surrender laws for parents in crisis.
Fullerton Police Department's Sgt. Ryan O'Neil noted that infant abandonment is a "tragic event for anyone who was put in that situation," KCAL reported. This case is a good reminder of the existence of safe surrender laws that exist across the country, including California. According to a statement from the police department, a law was passed in 2006 to provide a safe option for mothers in crisis.
The Safely Surrendered Baby Law notes "the intent is to save lives of newborn infants at risk of abandonment by encouraging parents or person with lawful custody to safely surrender the infant within 72 hours of birth, with no questions asked," the police department's release noted.
The law requires that "the baby be taken to a public or private hospital, designated fire station or other safe surrender site designated by the County Board of Supervisors."
Thankfully, the baby survived.
Although it is unclear who will take custody of the child upon his release, the good news is that the infant is alive, though in critical but stable condition at Children's Hospital of Orange County.
Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact Fullerton Police Detective Marcus Saenz at (714) 738-5361. Those wishing to provide information anonymously can call the Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1(855) TIP-OCCS or can visit the website.
