A security officer at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver made a shocking discovery last night: a baby dead in a basket.
Police said the little girl is either white or Hispanic, but few other details about the parents or the circumstances of her death were available, as homicide detectives assembled at the hospital.
The baby was found at a call box outside the hospital at Franklin Street and East 20th Avenue at about 7:40 p.m..
“Obviously nothing is known about the parents at this point,” said Detective Sharon Hahn. “We’re hoping some member of the public will call us.”
Denver Police can be reached at 720-913-2050.
St. Luke’s includes a renowned pediatrics and neo-natal unit called the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children.
Colorado is one of dozens of states that have safe haven laws to protect newborns and shield parents from liability if the parent surrenders an uninjured baby up to 72 hours old to a hospital or fire station.
Colorado Safe Haven for Newborns is a non-profit group working to get the word out about the Safe Haven law. They have a 24-hour toll-free hotline anyone can call — 866-694-2229 (866-694-BABY). Trained staff will counsel a person in crisis about what to do.
“We are so sad to learn about the loss of this precious life,” said Linda Prudhomme, the group’s executive director, in a statement. “In order to save these babies, people need to know about the Safe Haven law. The mother (or father) needs to know that the baby has to be given to a live person in order to make certain the baby will be safe. She shouldn’t feel alone. She can safely give up her baby without giving up her name.”
