Newborn's Body Found Near Brighton
Police Hoping Residents Might Recognize Blanket
POSTED: 6:24 a.m. MDT September 12, 2002
UPDATED: 5:32 p.m. MDT September 12, 2002
GREELEY, Colo. -- Authorities are looking for the mother of baby boy found dead and abandoned in Weld County.
The body of the newborn boy was discovered Wednesday morning near an auto repair shop north of Brighton, Colo.
Employees of an auto repair shop, near U.S. 85 and Weld County Road 2 1/2, found the body about 9 a.m., wrapped in a baby blanket (pictured, left) under chile plants near the front door of the business.
Preliminary autopsy results showed that the 6 1/2-pound baby was born alive and full-term between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to Weld County Coroner Scott Anthony.
It was not clear how the baby, who was naked under the blanket, died. It rained overnight Tuesday, and temperatures dipped into the 40s.
"There weren't any obvious signs of trauma," said Anthony.
Further test results are needed to determine the exact cause of death, he said.
The baby was wrapped in a blue blanket with the words "skate bear" and the image of a bear on it.
Authorities were hoping someone might be able to identify the blanket and deputies were talking to residents in the area where the body was found.
Pedro Morales, who owns the auto repair shop, said an employee noticed the baby and alerted him.
"Nobody expects to see something like that," said Morales.
He then called his wife, Elizabeth, who called police.
"We were just as puzzled as everyone else," said Elizabeth Morales. "Why would they leave it there?
They erected a small memorial (pictured, right) where the baby was found.
"Why didn't she go to the fire department or knock on someone's door?"
It is at least the seventh baby to be abandoned despite the enactment of the state's "Safe Haven" law two years ago.
Under the Safe Haven law, Colorado parents can abandon newborns at hospitals or fire stations within three days of birth and not face criminal charges. Since the law took effect in June 2000, only two of the nine babies who have been abandoned by parents were taken to a hospital or fire station. One was left near a trash bin at a restaurant and another behind a grocery store.
Rep. Gayle Berry, R-Grand Junction, who sponsored the Safe Haven bill, said young parents may not be aware of the law."We plan to be putting some resources and money into an educational campaign," she said.
Anyone with information is being asked to call (970) 392-4565.
Employees of an auto repair shop, near U.S. 85 and Weld County Road 2 1/2, found the body about 9 a.m., wrapped in a baby blanket (pictured, left) under chile plants near the front door of the business.
Preliminary autopsy results showed that the 6 1/2-pound baby was born alive and full-term between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to Weld County Coroner Scott Anthony.
It was not clear how the baby, who was naked under the blanket, died. It rained overnight Tuesday, and temperatures dipped into the 40s.
"There weren't any obvious signs of trauma," said Anthony.
Further test results are needed to determine the exact cause of death, he said.
The baby was wrapped in a blue blanket with the words "skate bear" and the image of a bear on it.
Authorities were hoping someone might be able to identify the blanket and deputies were talking to residents in the area where the body was found.
Pedro Morales, who owns the auto repair shop, said an employee noticed the baby and alerted him.
"Nobody expects to see something like that," said Morales.
He then called his wife, Elizabeth, who called police.
"We were just as puzzled as everyone else," said Elizabeth Morales. "Why would they leave it there?
They erected a small memorial (pictured, right) where the baby was found.
"Why didn't she go to the fire department or knock on someone's door?"
It is at least the seventh baby to be abandoned despite the enactment of the state's "Safe Haven" law two years ago.
Under the Safe Haven law, Colorado parents can abandon newborns at hospitals or fire stations within three days of birth and not face criminal charges. Since the law took effect in June 2000, only two of the nine babies who have been abandoned by parents were taken to a hospital or fire station. One was left near a trash bin at a restaurant and another behind a grocery store.
Rep. Gayle Berry, R-Grand Junction, who sponsored the Safe Haven bill, said young parents may not be aware of the law."We plan to be putting some resources and money into an educational campaign," she said.
Anyone with information is being asked to call (970) 392-4565.
Previous Stories:
- April 22, 2002: Six Months Later: No Clues In Abandoned Baby Case
- April 5, 2002: Baby Abandoned At Day Care
- January 4, 2002: Mother Leaves Baby At Fire Station
- November 15, 2001: Abandoned Baby Buried Thursday
- November 7, 2001: Abandoned Newborn To Get Loving Burial
- June 18, 2001: Mom Who Abandoned Baby Near Dumpster Sentenced
- April 10, 2001: Baby Found Abandoned In Parking Garage
- March 16, 2001: Father Of Abandoned Baby Talking To Social Services
- March 14, 2001: Mother Of Abandoned Baby Charged With Child Abuse
- March 13, 2001: Pueblo Mother Of Abandoned Baby Given Jail Time
- March 9, 2001: Police Locate Mother Of Abandoned Baby
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
