A California woman who dumped her newborn baby in the middle of the road in freezing temperatures is still at large. Police
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Aurelio Fuentes Jr., a newspaper carrier with the Fresno Bee, spotted a baby off of the 35000 block of Avenue 13 ½ in Madera Ranchos last Monday. It was dark and cold outside, with temperatures reaching near freezing.
Fuentes called authorities immediately. While waiting, a Good Samaritan drove by and asked Fuentes to hold the baby inside her vehicle, where she had her heater blasting. A few minutes after, first responders arrived.
The first video shows the woman reportedly dropping the baby in the road a little after the five-minute mark.
Surveillance Video 1 From Abandoned Baby
Surveillance video released in abandoned infant caseMadera County Sheriff’s Detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the abandoned newborn baby girl in the 35000 block of Avenue 13 ½ in Madera on February 11, 2019.During the initial and follow up portions of the investigation, Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives located items of trace evidence which we believe have a strong possibility of identifying the woman who abandoned the infant, who we presume is the birth mother. These items are being submitted to the California Department of Justice forensic laboratory for DNA testing.The Madera County Sheriff’s Office urges any and all involved parties to come forward and contact our office. To those individuals- We would like to hear your side of the story and understand the circumstances surrounding this event. The woman left the scene in a small SUV, possibly of a Korean make or model (i.e. Kia, Hyundai), and possibly dark blue or grey in color. Video surveillance from the area captured the vehicle and female subject. If you recognize the vehicle, female subject, or have any information that may be pertinent to the case, we ask that you contact Detectives at (559) 675-7770.The baby girl has been released from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Valley Children’s Hospital in good condition. She is in the custody of Madera County Social Services and has been placed with a foster family.*Please note the time in the video is fast by one hour. The actual time of the video should be 3:48 am.
Posted by Madera County Sheriff's Office on Friday, February 15, 2019
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office said the baby was taken to the hospital a little after 4:30 a.m. She was freezing, but thankfully alive.
ABC 7 reports that prior to Fuentes arriving, a man walking down Avenue 13 1/2 was stopped by a Hispanic woman driving a small, white SUV, who reportedly asked him to take her baby. The man said he refused but suggested she drop the baby off at a fire station or a local children’s hospital. The man walked away afterward.
The woman was possibly in her 20s but the sheriff’s department said her physical description is unknown.
Surveillance Video 2 From Abandoned Baby
Surveillance video released in abandoned infant case.Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the abandoned newborn baby girl in the 35000 block of Avenue 13 ½ in Madera on February 11, 2019. During the initial and follow up portions of the investigation, Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives located items of trace evidence which we believe have a strong possibility of identifying the woman who abandoned the infant, who we presume is the birth mother. These items are being submitted to the California Department of Justice forensic laboratory for DNA testing. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office urges any and all involved parties to come forward and contact our office. To those individuals- We would like to hear your side of the story and understand the circumstances surrounding this event. The woman left the scene in a small SUV, possibly of a Korean make or model (i.e. Kia, Hyundai), and possibly dark blue or grey in color. Video surveillance from the area captured the vehicle and female subject. If you recognize the vehicle, female subject, or have any information that may be pertinent to the case, we ask that you contact Detectives at (559) 675-7770. The baby girl has been released from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Valley Children’s Hospital in good condition. She is in the custody of Madera County Social Services and has been placed with a foster family.*Please note the time in the video is fast by one hour. The actual time of the video should be 3:48 am.
Posted by Madera County Sheriff's Office on Friday, February 15, 2019
CBS reports that police announced they now have “items of traced evidence” that they hope will lead to the woman’s identity. Authorities took the evidence to the California Department of Justice forensic laboratory where DNA testing will be performed.
Hospital staff guessed the newborn to less than 10 hours old when she was brought in last week. She’s currently being treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Valley Children’s Hospital, located near the incident scene. According to LA County 211, the hospital is a safe surrender site.
Authorities are investigating the incident and hoping to find the woman in the white SUV. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Madera County Sheriff’s Department at 559-675-7770.
[Feature Photo: Pixabay]
