FINDLAY -- The Findlay/Hancock County Crime Stoppers and Findlay Police are asking for the public's help in finding the mother and/or father of the baby who was left on May 16 in a cardboard box in the woman's restroom at Riverside Park in Findlay.
The mystery of a day-old baby boy remains unsolved so far. After an emergency court hearing, a judge awarded custody of the baby to the Hancock County Children's Protective Services Unit.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 419-425-8477. All callers remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers asserts.
In court, Officer Craig Spieker testified about the condition of "Baby Boy Doe" when he was found. "The child appeared to be healthy," said Spieker. "The umbilical cord was not clamped as an indicator of a hospital birth."
Spieker was one of the first on the scene when a 12-year-old student found the baby in a cardboard box. The newborn was wrapped in a towel, and covered by a pink sweater. A message written on the box read, "Please take care of me. I was born May 15th. My mommy can't."
Findlay Police continue searching for the mother. So far, they have no solid leads. "We received some calls of people calling in tips. We've investigated those and we are no closer to finding the mother than we were yesterday," said Lt. Chuck Wilson of the Findlay Police Department.
Judge Allan Davis awarded temporary custody of "Baby Boy Doe" to the Hancock County Children's Protective Services Unit. The five-pound Caucasian baby will be placed in a foster home, and if his mother or father never come forward, the child will be put in a permanent home. "If no parent ever comes forward, the baby will eventually be placed in the agency's permanent custody and placed for adoption," said Diana Hoover of Hancock County Children's Protective Services.
In the meantime, "Baby Boy Doe" is healthy and expected to be released soon from the hospital.
Ohio has what's called the "Safe Havens" law already in effect. Under that law, either birth parent can take a newborn that's less than 72 hours old to a medical worker at a hospital, a medical worker at a fire department, or a peace officer at a law enforcement agency with no questions asked.
The birth parent is not required to provide any information, including his or her name. The baby is given medical attention, and sent to a foster or adoptive home.
Since the law went into effect, about 10 babies a year have been dropped off this way.
On the Web:
Ohio Safe Haven Law: http://jfs.ohio.gov/safehavens/
Hancock County Children's Protective Service Unit: www.hancockohiokids.org/
Posted by KO
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