Newborn Found Near Hospital Parking Garage

While a security guard at Christus Spohn Shoreline was making his rounds near the hospital’s parking garage, Police say he found a newborn infant, apparently left on a nearby bench.

The infant was reportedly found during a routine patrol, appearing to have been dropped off on hospital property under the “Safe Haven Law.”

The baby was taken inside the hospital to be examined.

The Safe Haven Law is applied in certain facilities such as hospitals, fire stations, and emergency medical facilities. Under this law, an infant can be left at a designated haven site without charges being brought against parents for abandonment.

For it to apply, the child must be under 60 days old and in good health.

“Basically, what it allows is for a person to drop off an infant without having to face any questions or any type of punishment for doing it,” said Captain James Brown with Corpus Christi Fire Department. “It’s basically for the well-being of the infant.”

Officials say the baby appears to be in overall good health after being checked out by hospital staff and that police have no plans to file charges.