MADERA RANCHOS - A newborn baby girl was found in the middle of Avenue 13 ½ near Road 36 in the Madera Ranchos early Monday morning. Valley Children’s Hospital officials believe the baby was only 6-8 hours old when found. The baby was found wearing just a onsie with no diaper and a blanket by a local newspaper carrier while he was on his route. The baby's umbilical cord was still attached.
The carrier immediately brought the baby to his car to try and warm her up then called 911. California Highway Patrol and paramedics were dispatched to the area where the child was found within minutes. EMS transported the baby to VCH were she is reportedly in good condition despite being left in the freezing cold for around 30 minutes. The baby is now in the protective custody of the county of Madera's child protective services at VCH's neonatal intensive care unit.
According to witnesses the mother is described as a Hispanic female adult, possibly in her early 20’s who left the scene in a small white SUV of unknown make or model.
The criminal investigation has been turned over to the Madera County Sheriff's Office. California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Greg Rodriguez told BVN that Madera County Sheriff’s PIO Kayla Serratto requested he no longer speak to the media on this matter and refer all phone calls to her at the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. However, Serratto has not returned any calls to BVN at this time.
It is legal to take unwanted babies to any fire station in California, and there was a fire station about one mile from where the baby was found. Hospitals are also safe surrender sites. The baby girl was abandoned on a road just steps away from the Madera Ranchos Assembly of God Church in Madera County.
Madera County Undersheriff Tyson Pogue believes the suspect will be charged with a minimum of felony child endangerment, however, the district attorney's office could file attempted murder charges. Pogue says the witness in this case was walking his dog in the area at this early hour. He did not identify the witness.
Madera County Sheriff’s Office is seeking identification of the female subject. If anyone has information relating to this case that may lead to the identification of this subject, please contact Madera County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 675-7770.
