Arrest Warrant Issued In Discovery Of Newborn Left In Box On North Philadelphia Street
By Walt Hunter, Steve Beck and Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Police have issued an arrest warrant for the mother of a newborn baby that was found in a box on a North Philadelphia street several days before Christmas.
According to authorities, the mother left her newborn -- umbilical cord still attached -- at the corner of 27th and Huntington Streets on December 21st, 2011. Police say the baby was left near the Rainbow Daycare and Learning Center in hopes the employees would find her.
However, no employees saw the box or they thought it was trash, so the baby was outside for hours before a neighborhood volunteer picked up the box and felt it move.
The baby was taken to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and is currently in the custody of the Department of Human Services.
"Imminently, this child was in danger of dying had she not been found at the time," said Philadelphia police captain John Darby.
Investigators have issued an arrest warrant for attempted murder for Patricia Crawley, 33, who is currently considered a fugitive.
Authorities initially interviewed the mother shortly after the baby was discovered and a DNA sample was taken at that time. The results came back and the woman was identified as the baby's mother.
Pennsylvania is one of 48 states that has adopted the Baby Safe Haven law which allows parents to leave an unharmed baby, up to 28 days old, with staff or security personnel at any hospital in Pennsylvania.
"We're asking for your help to shake the trees and get this woman in custody, where she belongs," said Darby.
For information on the Baby Safe Haven law, click here.
Anyone with information about Crawley is asked to contact Philadelphia police at 9-1-1.
