This is an interesting story because this baby was actually left on the top of one of our MSI Detective Investigator’s car. I spoke with the investigator, who wishes to remain anonymous, but was able to get some personal details on this story. I will call him John.
John had just attended his parent’s church for the first time that day – Gospel Presbyterian Church in Schaumburg, IL. When he returned to his car, he found a reusable, canvas bag hanging from his driver’s side mirror. He and his sister opened the bag, but could only see towels and a teddy bear and didn’t want to rifle through somone else’s bag. John brought the bag to the church’s lost and found.
About two hours later, John received a call from the church asking him to return and informing him the police wanted to talk to him about the bag he turned in. When John arrived back at the church, he learned that at some point church members and staff heard a baby crying, but they could not determine where the cries were coming from. Finally, they realized the cries were coming from the bag. They found a 7-pound baby girl of Asian ethnicity tucked underneath the teddy bear and towel, Schaumburg police said.
The baby, a few days old and in good health, according to police, was transported to a local hospital for observation. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services will take custody of her once she has been released.
Another twist in this story is that John’s sister happens to be a sponsor for an orphanage. His sister has been wanting to sponsor a foster child. She is currently working with DCFS to try and make this happen with the baby she and her brother found. I wish her the best of luck and hope she is able to take care of this baby as she now feels a sense of obligation and attachment to the child, which is understandable.
The baby is safe and healthy, but the identity of the mother is still unknown. Authorities are still trying to locate her.
Illinois’ so-called “safe haven” law allows parents to give up their newborn infants — no questions asked — if they feel they cannot provide for them.
But the law only provides parents with immunity from prosecution if the baby is left at a hospital, fire station or police station.
“We don’t know who the mother is and are hoping that the public will help us identify her,” said Sgt. John Nebl, public information officer for the Schaumburg Police Department.
“First and foremost we want to make sure that the mother is healthy mentally and physically, and that she voluntarily relinquished the child.”
Hospital officials told Schaumburg police the baby likely was not born in a hospital because of the length of the unclamped umbilical cord. She appears to have been carried to full term, according to hospital officials.
Anybody with information about the baby or her mother is requested to call the Schaumburg Police Department Investigations Division at 847-882-3534.
Read story@ msnbc
