Abandoned newborn found on Southern California street corner

LAKEWOOD, Calif. - An abandoned newborn was found by a homeless man not far from a Southern California mall, and authorities believe a woman who said she witnessed the birth is the mother of the child.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials said a passerby who was looking for recycling items in Lakewood discovered the baby girl lying on the grass Sunday morning. He took her to a fire station and she was transferred to a hospital in stable condition.

The man, whom police identified to CBS Los Angeles as Mark, discovered the baby girl, who appeared to be only a few hours old, covered in a blanket lying on the grass. They believe she was born right on the curb.

Authorities said when deputies responded to the scene, a 35-year-old woman approached them and said she had helped the mother cut the umbilical cord.

During questioning, detectives noticed the woman was bleeding and took her to the hospital. There, doctors examined the woman and concluded that she recently gave birth.

Results from a DNA test are pending.

The sheriff's department told CBS Los Angeles they would like to remind the public that California has a Safe Haven Law in place, which states that a newborn may be dropped off at a designated "safe surrender site" within the first 72 hours. Authorities will accept the newborn, usually at hospitals and fire stations, without asking questions during this time frame.