DENVER -- Hospitals trying to protect newborns from kidnappers also have to allow families and friends to celebrate birth with the parents, staffers say.

A woman arrested on suspicion of abducting a 2-week-old baby had befriended the baby's mother in her room at Denver Health Medical Center after posing as a church worker, authorities said.

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The suspect, Darlene Sylvia Rueda-Banuelos, 30, made an initial appearance in Denver District Court on Thursday, during which a judge set bond at $100,000. She remained in police custody.

Rueda-Banuelos was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and child abuse, but formal charges were not expected to be filed until sometime next week, said Lynn Kimbrough, a spokeswoman for the Denver District Attorney's Office.

"This reminds us how important our education to new moms is about being befriended at a time when they are vulnerable," Exempla Healthcare spokeswoman Peg O'Keefe said Wednesday.

The missing baby was found safe and healthy at about 1 p.m. Wednesday in the home of a family who thought a member of their family had given birth to it. The baby was found a day after his mother reported he was abducted. An Amber Alert, distributed by police and media in child-abduction cases, generated about 500 tips from three states.

Denver Health's maternity ward is unlocked but is under 24-hour surveillance and patrolled by security personnel, spokeswoman Dee Martinez said.

She would not comment on the case this week, but the hospital issued a statement saying it gets hundreds of visitors daily and that staffers are told to contact security if they suspect someone.

O'Keefe said new mothers often receive a stream of well-wishers, making it hard for hospitals to balance safety and celebration.

"We try not to be obtrusive," she said. "But we've even encouraged new parents not to put the stork on the lawn and be careful with Web sites. It's sad."

Security at Denver-area hospitals varies. About half lock their obstetrics units. Some ask visitors for photo IDs.

Some require obstetrics staff to wear different badges than those worn by caregivers in other parts of the hospital. Most hospitals require babies to be transported in rolling cribs or carts, so that anyone carrying a baby immediately stands out.

"You will never see anyone carrying a baby in the hall," said Maribeth Trujillo of Littleton Adventist Hospital.

"Cameras and all that stuff is very nice, but the most important thing is to educate the moms and make sure the moms know what precautions to take. Never give your baby to anybody without identification," warned Lynn Schneider of Porter Adventist Hospital.

Trujillo said her best advice to new parents is, "Know everyone who is touching your baby and why. Never be afraid to ask."

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