A newborn baby found this morning unattended in a trash Dumpster at Chapel Ridge Apartments appears to be in good condition at an Emporia hospital, authorities said.
At 8:24 a.m., the Emporia Police Department responded to a call at 3601 West 18th that a baby had been abandoned. The apartment maintenance staff found the baby in a commercial Dumpster at the south end of the parking lot, said Emporia Police Lt. Ed Owens, It was a full-term baby, he said.
The baby was breathing when police arrived at the scene. It was taken by ambulance to Newman Regional Health. Owens said it appears the baby will be OK.
Authorities are searching for the mother of the child. Police are concerned about the well being of the mother. She may need medical attention.
They are asking that anyone with information to call the police department at 343-4225.
Police are not releasing the gender of the baby at this time.
There is a safe haven law in Kansas. Anyone can leave a baby, up to 45 days old, with an employee at any medical facility, fire department, city or county health department in Kansas.
“If they had dropped it off at a hospital or fire station, no questions would have been asked,” Owens said.