Newborn infant found in Fullerton gas station trashcan; Woman charged with attempted murder

A 25-year-old Fullerton woman who allegedly left her newborn baby boy in a bag within a trash can at a gas station March 9, was charged Tuesday with attempted murder and child abuse and endangerment, both felonies. The child was hospitalized and is in critical but stable condition.

The one-hour-old child was reportedly found inside of a gas station trash can in Fullerton on March 9 prompting authorities to search for the baby's birth mother. 

According to Metro Cities Fire Authority, crews were called to the Chevron gas station located in the 900 block of Orangethorpe Avenue at around 3:30 p.m. after a baby boy was found inside of a trash can in the bathroom. 

The infant, located by an employee of the gas station, was inside of a bag that had been placed in the garbage receptacle. 

Firefighters took the baby to a nearby children's hospital in the City of Orange. The newborn was listed in critical but stable condition.

It was unclear if the child's mother had given birth at the gas station.

Fullerton police detectives reviewed surveillance footage and used suspect vehicle information, which led them to serve a search warrant at about 1:45 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of West Orangethorpe Avenue. Fullerton resident Venissa Maldonado, 25, was arrested for attempted murder and felony child abuse.

"I think that would be a tragic event for anybody who was put in that situation," said Fullerton Police Sergeant Ryan O'Neil, who also noted that parents have 72 hours to safely surrender their child after its birth. 

For more information on the Safely Surrendered Baby Program, including the laws and process involved, visit the California State Government Department of Social Services website.