BEAUMONT, Texas — A one day old baby girl was dropped off at Jefferson County ESD No. 3 Fire Department this weekend.
She was later brought to Baptist Hospital, a hospital spokesperson confirmed.
The baby is doing well, the hospital said.
Child Protective Services is treating this as a Baby Moses / Safe Haven case, CPS spokesperson Shari Pulliam said.
Jody Herrera is the Assistant Fire Chief at the Jefferson County ESD 3 No. 3. He said, for his firefighters, the newborn's health was most important in this case.
"They are going to nurture that child and make sure it gets the proper medical care first which is the priority and make sure the child is healthy," he said.
When the baby girl was handed over to firefighters, she was in great hands, Herrera said.
"Luckily, this paramedic was a brand-new father, so he knew exactly what to do," he said.
This is the second Safe Haven case in Southeast Texas area recorded by CPS in two years and the first case this fiscal year, which started September 1, 2018. There have been 12 Save Haven cases in the state of Texas this fiscal year, according to CPS.
The last case happened in June 2018, when a baby was left outside a Beaumont fire department.
Another full-term baby was left naked outside a Lake Charles hospital in February this year.
RELATED | How the Safe Haven Law works in Texas
Here's the specifics for anyone who is thinking about bringing their baby to a designated Safe Haven:
- The baby must be 60 days old or younger and unharmed and safe.
- You need to give your baby to an employee who works at one of these safe places and tell them you want to leave your baby at a Safe Haven.
- You may be asked by an employee for family or medical history to make sure that your baby receives the care they need.
Within the realm of the law, if you leave your unharmed infant at a Safe Haven, you will not be prosecuted for abandonment or neglect.
For more information, go to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), Baby Safe Haven, or The Baby Moses Project, or call the Texas Baby Moses Hotline at 1-877-904-7283.
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