A newborn baby girl was found alive and alone behind a dumpster Wednesday night near Cayce, Mississippi.
Marshall County authorities say the baby, a 2- to 3-week-old girl, was found at a mobile home community around 7:30.
Three men were throwing away trash when they heard what they thought was a baby crying, authorities said. They found the baby in a car seat, wrapped in blankets.
“The baby had multiple blankets wrapped around it and actually had a blanket over the top of the car seat,” said Kelly McMillen, Commander of Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
The baby was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where she is reportedly doing well. The child will be released to Marshall County DHS, authorities said.
Marshall County Investigators were back at the scene Thursday looking for any clues as to who dropped the baby off. They checked security cameras at the mobile home park and plan to have the child’s car seat checked for prints and DNA.
“We’re not even sure if this child is from our area. If you’re aware of anybody that’s had a child abducted or that’s been taken by force of violence, you need to contact us immediately,” McMillen said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office at 662-252-1311.
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital would not comment on the ongoing investigation, but a spokesperson provided information about Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law.
The law, enacted on July 1, 2001, allows mothers of newborns up to two weeks old to surrender babies to staff at designated facilities without fear of being prosecuted and with assurance of confidentiality as long as the child is unharmed.
Safe haven facilities include hospitals, birthing centers, health departments, walk-in clinics, fire stations, EMS, and police stations.
Mississippi also has a safe haven law that allows parents to surrender a child 45 days old or younger to an emergency medical services provider. Parents can deliver the child directly to the provider or place them in a baby safety device, also known as a baby box, sponsored by the medical provider.
