Woman arrested for abandoning dead newborn in Lodi, police say
LODI – A woman was arrested after a newborn was found dead in Lodi on Thursday, police said.
Officers said they responded to a parking lot at Tokay and Sacramento streets shortly after 11:30 a.m. after receiving a report that an infant was found in the area.
When police and medics arrived, they said the infant was pronounced dead.
A woman who spoke with CBS Sacramento said she found the infant behind a mechanic shop building in the area.
In an update Friday evening, police said 29-year-old Kathryn Copeland of Lodi was arrested. Police said she was charged with abandonment of a deceased newborn.
"You're never alone" — that's the message several nonprofits in Lodi are sending after Thursday's tragedy.
Both Lodi Police and Fire say this tragedy could have been prevented. Lodi Fire Battalion Chief Michael Alegre said a safe surrender system was put in place across every station in the city.
"We give them a bracelet for the child and the mother. A serial number, if you will," he said. "They have 14 days to reclaim the child if they want it."
The safe surrender system became law in 2001 and makes it easier for children to be surrendered from parents who may not want to or can't take care of them.
"Please bring them to a safe surrender site and you can walk away, free and clear," Alegre said.
Several nonprofits like One-Eighty provide care for at-risk youth and adults in east Lodi, where this happened.
"A lot of times, when you hear about a tragedy like this, it's a younger person, and so my first question runs to: 'Did they have the resources? Did they have the help?' " said Jake McGregor, executive director of One-Eighty.
If One-Eighty couldn't help, McGregor said they can connect you with someone who can so that anyone can get help.
"There's always hope. There's always resources. There's always help," he said.
Back in 2022, a 23-year-old mother was accused of the death of her newborn baby in Lodi.