A woman may have given birth in the bathroom of an American airport before abandoning her baby beside a handwritten note.
According to The Washington Post, an unidentified woman at the Tucson International Airport gave birth on January 14 shortly before 10pm, leaving her baby to be found by a rental car company employee.
Authorities have since released a photo of the note left with the baby, along with CCTV footage of the woman they believe gave birth, in a bid to find the baby’s mother.
“Please help me,” read the note left with the child. “My mum had no idea she was pregnant. She is unable and unfit to take care of me. Please get me to the authorities so they can find a good home.”
“I just want what is best for him and it is not me,” the note continued. “Please. Im sorry (sic).”
Though found with a torn umbilical cord, the baby was in a healthy condition overall.
In a statement to the Washington Post, airport spokeswoman Jessie Butler says the baby had since been transported to a nearby hospital and is in the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
For now, authorities are determined to find the baby's mother.
"We would like to know who she is but we've exhausted our resources," Butler told The Post.
According to TIME, Arizona is a "safe haven state". This means it is not illegal for mothers to give up their babies to unspecified authorities, including fire stations, licensed adoption agencies, or churches, up to 72 hours after the birth.
However, airports are not listed as safe haven locations. Authorities are yet to confirm if, when found, the mother will face charges.
Top Comments
At least the baby is going to be looked after, hopefully, by a loving family, rather than neglected by someone who did not want, nor can look after, it in the first place.
‘Someone’ plural, it also has a father, if he had assisted the poor woman she may have coped. Interesting, it takes two to make them but so often the female is literally left holding the baby and always cops the blame. He gets off scott free.
It might not be an official safe haven, but at least she left the baby somewhere it would be found. Hope the mum is OK.
ABSOLUTELY and to think they would even consider charges is abhorrent, as if the poor woman hasn't got enough tragedy in her life. Compassion seems to be a word that has been lost. What is wrong with people?