In an unfortunate turn of events on Saturday afternoon in Adelanto, a mother from Barstow was arrested on charges of allegedly trying to abandon her one-month-old baby. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the woman was seen placing the baby behind the trash cans of a business.
When she noticed someone watching her, she picked up the baby and walked towards an apartment complex. A caller informed authorities about the incident, providing descriptions of the mother and the baby. Deputies responded to the call and found a woman matching the suspect’s description, but she was alone at the time.
Upon interrogation, the 21-year-old mother led deputies to an apartment where she had left her son with two adult women, whom she didn’t know. The baby was found to be uninjured and healthy and was subsequently placed in the custody of San Bernardino County Child and Family Services.
The mother was arrested and booked into jail on charges of child abuse with possible great bodily injury or death. She is currently held at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto on $60,000 bail and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of the Baby Safe Surrender Program in California. This program allows mothers to surrender their child at approved sites within 72 hours of their birth, confidentially, and without fear of prosecution. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety of newborns and the availability of help for new mothers in distress.