Woman in police custody after baby left in bushes
Child found safe after about 10 minutes with temperature hovering around -16 C
Police say a three-month-old baby was abandoned by a woman believed to be his mother in frigid temperatures, prompting a desperate search by first-responders Tuesday morning.
Officers were called to a home in the 2500 block of 16A Street N.W. at about 2:30 a.m. after a woman seen carrying a baby began yelling and banging on the door of a residence. The occupant of the home didn’t know the woman, police said. Officers located the woman but the infant wasn’t with her.
With the temperature hovering around -16 C overnight, police and paramedics began a frantic search, finally finding the baby in some bushes after about 10 minutes.
Staff Sgt. David McMath said, given the bone-chilling temperatures, time was of the essence in locating the youngster.
“The situation was pretty intense. I think with the temperatures (at the time) it could have been a much worse outcome,” he said. “I’m damned glad the child was found safe.”
EMS spokesman Stuart Brideaux said the baby wasn’t dressed for the frigid conditions, which made the situation even more perilous.
“The child had been found outside wearing very thin clothing — not dressed appropriately at all for the conditions,” he said.
“This was an extremely dangerous situation. Infants don’t regulate temperature well at all, so it can be very dire if they’re not appropriately dressed.”
The baby was rushed to Alberta Children’s Hospital in serious condition, suffering from exposure and mild hypothermia, though Brideaux added the child’s status was soon upgraded to stable.
After the baby was found, police interviewing the woman were led to believe another child may have been abandoned nearby, but after an exhaustive search of the area it was determined the woman had only the baby with her. Police are now working with Alberta Children’s Services to ensure the infant’s safety. The woman, whose name is being withheld by officials to protect the youngster’s identity, is charged with child abandonment and failing to provide the necessaries of life.
The situation was pretty intense. I’m damned glad the child was found safe.