A baby was left in the parking lot of a Massachusetts hospital Wednesday night, hospital officials confirmed.
According to UMass Memorial, the baby was found next to a nurse's car at the UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital in Leominster around 6:30 p.m.
The baby was taken inside the hospital for further evaluation. The child's condition is good, according to officials.
Because the hospital is a Baby Safe Haven facility, a parent is allowed to legally surrender a newborn infant 7–days-old or younger without facing any criminal charges, according to state law.
"We encourage mothers who feel they need to voluntarily abandon their baby to leave the child with an appropriate person at a Safe Haven site as the law requires," said Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. in a statement. "Leaving a baby in a parking lot in the hopes that it will be found leaves too much to chance, especially as the child is at risk to exposure."
Renee Marcou, spokesperson for the Baby Safe Haven program, said leaving a child alone can be dangerous.
"It’s unfortunate that the woman who surrendered her baby didn’t hand it over to a staffed worker," said Marcou.
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"We continue to investigate this case in hopes of finding the mother to ask her the questions that are asked under the Safe Haven law that help in the newborn's transition and mother's health," Early added. "We are asking that anyone with any information with regards to the mother and/or baby’s health to please come forward."
The hospital is working with the Department of Children and Families.
