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Police: Abandoned Newborn's Mom Is 14

Newborn Found Alive In School Trash Can

Police Classify Incident As Child Abuse Case

POSTED: 6:10 pm MST September 16, 2008

UPDATED: 8:12 am MST September 17, 2008

PHOENIX -- A healthy newborn was found alive in a trash can at a Valley middle school on Tuesday, Phoenix fire officials said.

The principal at Osborn Middle School at 11th Avenue and Highland said he heard a muffled noise coming from the trash receptacle and notified Phoenix Fire Department.

It was remarkable timing that the principal happened to pass by close to the time the baby was born on campus, said Sgt. Andy Hill of the Phoenix Police Department.

Fire officials said the baby boy was pulled from the trash can with his umbilical cord still attached. The newborn is receiving medical care at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.

The 14-year-old mother gave birth to the child inside the administration building, police said.

Fire department personnel said they later found the mother at a nearby apartment and she was taken to a hospital in good condition.

Some students said they know the baby's mother.

"I think she just got scared and didn't know what to do," said Rebecca Blake, a student.

Victor Rangle of the Phoenix Fire Department said he hopes the incident will bring attention to the safe haven law, which says an unwanted newborn can be dropped off within 72 hours at a fire station, police station, hospital or church with no questions asked.

"There is an alternative if you get to [that] point and are that desperate," Rangle said.

Because the child was left without care, police now consider the case a child abuse investigation and Child Protective Services is involved.

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