Police are seeking information about an infant found with her umbilical cord still attached in a backpack at an Arizona grocery store last week.
The newborn girl was discovered June 4 wrapped in a blanket inside a black and pink Jonas Brothers-themed backpack, which had been placed in a shopping cart in the parking lot of Tempe, Arizona grocery store Food City, police said.
A pedestrian walking through the parking lot notified a store manager about the baby around 7:45 p.m., the Arizona Republic reports.
The manager then called 9-1-1 and told a dispatcher that the child was likely a newborn, according to audio of the call obtained by the newspaper.
“She’s beautiful,” the manager told the dispatcher. “The [umbilical] cord was cut, but it’s still attached.”
During the call, the dispatcher helped the manager check on the health of the baby, which may have been born 1 to 3 hours before she was discovered, Tempe Assistant Fire Chief Paul Nies told the Arizona Republic.
We are seeking the public's assistance in identifying baby girl who was found abandoned in the parking lot & backpack that she was found with. Pls call Tempe PD if you have info
Posted by Tempe Police Department on Wednesday, June 7, 2017
The newborn girl was taken to a hospital, where she appeared to be in good condition, the newspaper reported.
The state’s child welfare agency has been notified.
Nies said whoever abandoned the child could have brought her to a fire station across the street from the grocery store. Under Arizona law, people can drop off infants born within 72 hours at fire stations and hospitals without risking criminal prosecution.
Food City spokeswoman Ashley Shick said everyone involved reacted appropriately to care for the child.
“This is a tragic situation but we’re thankful that the baby was found healthy,” Shick said.
Anyone with information about the identity of the baby, her parents or the circumstances surrounding her abandonment can call Tempe police at 480-350-8311.
[Feature Photo: Tempe Police Department]
