A California woman was arrested by Fullerton Police on Friday after she dumped her one-hour-old child in a Chevron gas station bathroom trash can the day before. The woman has been identified as 25-year-old Venissa Maldonado and is currently facing an attempted murder charge and one felony child abuse charge.
The baby boy was found by an employee that was collecting the trash from the bathroom. Authorities were called immediately and arrived at the gas station around 3:30 p.m.. Firefighters started to treat the baby boy and ended up taking him to a nearby children’s hospital, ultimately saving the little boy’s life.
“The call for service was a possible newborn child in the bathroom trash can. Upon arrival, officers located a newborn child in the trash can and immediately began life-saving measures. Fullerton Fire responded very shortly after and transported the child to a local hospital for further medical care,” said Sgt. Ryan O’Neil of the Fullerton Police.
As of right now, it’s unclear if the woman gave birth in the bathroom or at a secondary location before dumping him in the trash can. While the baby is stable, he’s listed in critical condition as doctors continue to treat him. If it weren’t for the employee discovering the baby in a timely manner, he wouldn’t be alive.
On Friday, just before 2 a.m., Fullerton Police served a search warrant of the alleged mother’s home – where she was arrested after detectives determined the baby was hers.
“Through her statements to detectives, it was determined that the child was hers,” Sgt. Ryan O’Neil continued – adding, “I think that would be a tragic event for anybody who was put in that situation.”
Fullerton Police Remind Others of Safe Surrender Baby Laws
Sgt. Ryan O’Neil wanted to remind soon-to-be or new parents of the laws in place that allow them to surrender their babies up to 72 hours after birth. It’s a safe, legal, confidential, and free process that not only gives the baby an opportunity to survive, but allows them to hopefully find a home in the future.
“There are Safe Surrender Baby laws that allow parents, guardians or mothers to surrender their child within 72 hours of birth with no questions asked. There are hospitals that are designated as safe surrender along with fire departments,” said O’Neil.
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It’s unclear if the mother of the baby boy has entered any pleas as of Friday, but more information will be released soon. Anyone with additional information should contact the Fullerton Police Department at 714-738-5361 – ask for detective MarcusSaenz.