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Newborn abandoned in duffel bag

Posted: Oct 22, 2012 10:19 PM by Rebecca Taylor
Updated: Oct 23, 2012 9:15 AM


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TUCSON - A shocking find Saturday at a North side apartment complex: a baby was left abandoned in a duffel bag.

The apartment manager told police, someone rang her doorbell and when she opened the door, she found the bag, with the newborn inside.

The mother was nowhere in sight.

The baby was taken to the hospital to be checked out.

Doctors say the days-old baby girl appears to be just fine.

While police are grateful the baby appears in good health, dropping her off in a duffel bag, on a door step, put the child at risk.

Taking the newborn to a Safe Baby Haven like UAMC is the best way to ensure the child gets a good start to life.

Swaddled in a blanket, it's believed the baby girl is no more than four to six days old.

She was left outside the manager's apartment at the Adobe Fountain Suites in Tucson.

The manager reported that someone rang her doorbell, sometime around 8 p.m. Saturday night.

If a mother finds herself in crisis, agencies with a Safe Baby logo can help.

Vicki Began with UAMC says Safe Baby Havens can be found at "any of the hospitals in town and Casa de los Niños, and that's 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

The symbol means it's a safe place to leave a newborn; babies up to 72-hours-old can be anonymously handed off.

They'll take care of the baby, and will find the baby a safe home.

"She would bring her baby, and the most important thing is she needs to hand her baby to somebody," describes Began. "We want the baby not to be exposed to any element, no heat or cold and also the baby needs nutrition."

The mother also has the option of giving some medical history.

Began says the most important thing is that babies are cared for from the start. The mother will not be prosecuted.

"If she delivers, if she can bring the baby in, or if she doesn't want to, she can have someone else bring the baby in but the law says within 72 hours of delivery," says Began.

If the mother is watching, or if you know who she is, Tucson Police want to make sure she's okay, and not in need of medical attention.

Anyone with information should call 911 or 88-CRIME. You can remain anonymous.

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