Police in California say a mother who abandoned her newborn baby in the street is facing charges in the infant’s death. Lodi police arrested Kathryn Grace Copeland, 29, on September 26 after she allegedly left her newborn baby near Tokay Street and Sacramento Street. A witness reportedly found the baby and called 911, but sadly, the baby had died.
California’s Safely Surrendered Baby Law gives parents or legal guardians 72 hours to confidentially surrender their newborn without prosecution. Unfortunately, it seems not everyone understands these laws and their infants meet a tragic end.
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Someone reportedly found the baby on the street.
According to KCRA, employees of Commissary Azteca found the baby in the parking lot of a nearby mechanic shop. An employee reportedly went out for his lunch break around 11:30 a.m. and made the heartbreaking discovery.
“He tried to sit down on the floor, he turned around and he see the baby,” Silvia Gonzales, a cashier at Commissary Azteca, told KCRA.
The employee ran back for help.
Gonzales said they called 911 for help because the infant appeared to be very small, telling KCRA that the baby looked just a few hours old. “I wanted to cry,” Gonzales said. “When I see it, I just tried to see if it was moving or not, but I don’t see nothing.”
Police responded a short time later.
“Numerous patrol and investigative units responded and located an infant. American Medical Response responded, and unfortunately, the infant was pronounced deceased,” read a news release from the Lodi Police Department.
Police at the time said the investigation was active and that they would release more details as they become available. A short time later, police updated the post with news of Copeland’s arrest.
The incident made many people sad.
After the police department announced Copeland’s arrest, they made it clear that there is always help in the area for parents of newborns.
“An incident like this can be difficult and evoke a wide range of emotions. Not only does it affect our community but also our first responders, including our officers, dispatchers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel,” the release reads. “Please remember that several organizations and resources are available to help those in need.”
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The mother faces charges.
Per police, Copeland was charged with abandonment of a deceased newborn and taken to San Joaquin County Jail on a $5,000 bond. Her next court date is October 1, according to online court records.
