A California woman has been taken into custody and faces charges after authorities discovered her newborn baby abandoned on the street.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, at approximately 11:40 a.m., the Lodi Police Department received a call regarding an infant discovered in the Lodi area, prompting their dispatch to the scene, as shared in a Facebook post. Authorities reported that multiple patrol and investigative teams found the infant, who was declared deceased.
Authorities reported that their initial inquiry revealed that 29-year-old Kathryn Grace Copeland from Lodi “left the deceased newborn behind.”
According to police, Copeland “was ultimately arrested” and charged with “the abandonment of the deceased newborn,” following collaboration with the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office on the case.
“An incident like this can be difficult and evoke a wide range of emotions,” the Lodi Police Department said in its post. “Not only does it affect our community but also our first responders, including our officers, dispatchers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.”
“Please remember that several organizations and resources are available to help those in need,” the department added.
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A witness reported to CBS News that the baby was discovered behind a mechanic shop. Another witness said that an employee discovered the child during their break.
“[When the employee] tried to sit down on the floor, [they] turned around and [saw] the baby,” Silvia Gonzales said, per KCRA-TV. “I wanted to cry. When I [saw the baby], I just tried to see if it was moving or not, but I don’t see [anything].”
Lodi Fire Battalion Chief Michael Alegre has reminded California residents about the available safe surrender system for those unable to care for an infant.
California’s Safely Surrendered Baby Program states that “A parent or person with lawful custody can safely surrender a baby confidentially, and without fear of prosecution, within 72 hours of birth.”
The law, established in 2001, allows individuals to leave a baby at a designated safe surrender site, which includes public or private hospitals and specified fire stations.