The baby found at a Fort Polk fire station on Dec. 6 had been left outside on the back side of the fire station wrapped in a blanket, said Amy Ridgely, lead investigator on the case. The temperature was 52 degrees, and it was raining.
The baby boy was left at Fire Station No. 1 on Dec. 6, say officials, who began last week in asking for help in locating the person or persons who abandoned him. So far no one has come forward with any information.
"We don't know exactly how long the baby was outside behind the fire station," said Ridgely who added that despite a slightly low temperature and being a little dehydrated, the baby seemed to be healthy, with no major complications.
Person with information to report in the case can call (337) 531-9468 or go to www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/des.html and click on the "Police stop a crime" hotline link in the lower left hand corner.
The baby, now in foster care, is a male who is either black, Hispanic, or biracial. His estimated age at the time of abandonment was between two and 14 days. The infant had been wrapped in a polyester quilt blanket. The blanket featured a design of brown teddy bears and yellow stars over a blue-and-white checkered pattern. Officials believe the infant was delivered someplace besides a hospital and also have concerns about the mother's welfare.
Fort Polk officials said that the law allowing babies to be left with hospital, law enforcement or fire officials applies only if the newborn is physically handed off. Also, the Louisiana Safe Haven law does not apply on Fort Polk since it is a federal installation, though Fort Polk officials would have likely directed the baby's guardian to an appropriate safe haven off base.
The Louisiana Safe Haven Law passed back in 2003 and went into effect in 2004," said "Trey Williams, communications director for the Louisiana Department of Social Services. "Basically ... [the law] allows parents of a newborn, 31 days or younger, to hand over their child to a specified safe haven," Williams said.
Police departments, fire departments, hospitals, doctors offices, public health units and EMS providers are among the places considered safe havens. However, Williams said it's important for parents to realize that they must physically hand the baby over and not leave the baby unattended for instance on a doorstep or in a bathroom, which is illegal.
The proper procedure is for the parent or parents to walk into a safe haven facility, hand the baby to an employee and state they they want to utilize the Louisiana Safe Haven Law. They are then free to leave.
However, if there are signs of abuse or neglect, charges can be filed against the parents.
unless the child shows signs of abuse or neglect.
Parents don't have to give their names. They can, however, give medical information on the baby. The parents are also given a card with an 800 number to call later in order to find out their legal rights and/or to provide more information about the baby.
A change of heart is also possible under the law; parents have the legal option to have their children returned to them within 30 days.
Williams couldn't comment on the likelihood of law enforcement locating the parents of the baby abandoned on Fort Polk.
Since the Safe Haven law went into effect, 10 infant have been successfully relinquished to the state, Williams said. Two were in the Lake Chares area and one was in the Shreveport area. No infants have been left at safe havens in the Leesville or Alexandria areas.
For more information about the Safe Haven Law in Louisiana, go to louisianasafehaven.org.
Leesville, La. —
