Abandoned Newborn Found On Lakewood Street Corner
LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A man in his 30s found a newborn infant Sunday that was abandoned on a street corner.
According to the Lakewood Sheriff's Station, a homeless man, named Mark, said heard noises around 6:00 a.m. coming from behind a wall, which was located in the area of Hardwick Street and Lakewood Boulevard.
Deputies said Mark discovered the baby girl, who appeared to be only a few hours old, covered in a blanket laying on the grass. They believe she was born right on the curb.
CBS2's Joy Benedict said Mark was looking for recyclables when he happened upon the baby.
He immediately brought the infant to a nearby fire station.
Another homeless man, named Vance Cobb, told Benedict the baby was so new she still had blood on her.
"Mark toldme that he had found something just wouldn't believe it when I see it, I was like oh my God! It was a baby," said Cobb.
According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, paramedics transported the newborn to Long Beach Memorial Hospital where she is listed in stable condition.
Deputies said they were later approached by a 35-year-old woman who told them she assisted the mother in giving birth.
The witness was taken to the Lakewood station for further questioning. At the conclusion of the interview, detectives noticed that when she stood up from her seat there was blood on her chair.
The witness denied being the baby's mother. For her safety she was taken to Long Beach Memorial Hospital for treatment. At the hospital, the examining physician concluded the "witness" recently gave birth because the placenta and partial umbilical cord were still inside of her.
The female was admitted for treatment due to the recent delivery and is also pending a psychiatric evaluation.
Detectives said they are investigating this case as a child endangerment incident.
The sheriff's department 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 station, without asking questions during this time frame.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Lakewood Sheriff's Station at (562) 623-3500.