A Utah woman accused of dumping her day-old baby in a neighbor’s trash can told police she was afraid to tell her parents about the pregnancy and hoped the newborn’s death would solve her problems, a probable cause statement shows.
Neighbors said they heard a noise coming from the can and thought it was a kitten at first before finding the newborn.
Officials said the mother is 24 and they do not believe she has any other children.
The infant was suffering from hypothermia and remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
Police have not confirmed any information on the child’s father at this time.
Help is available for all newborns and mothers with Utah’s Newborn Safe Haven law.
In May 2001, a state-wide law went into effect in Utah allowing birth parents to anonymously give up custody of their newborn child without facing any legal consequences.
The Utah Newborn Safe Haven has a toll-free hotline (1-866-458-0058) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Agencies/Canadajournal
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