Developments of Baby Found in Dumpster

There's new information about what will happen to a newborn baby found in a dumpster on Monday night.

By Kim Stallworth,

May 9, 2008, 6:13 PM CDT

St. Louis, MO — There's new information about what will happen to a newborn baby found in a dumpster on Monday night.

A hearing in St. Louis County family court determined that the baby will remain in protective custody as a ward of the state.

A judication hearing will be held on June 26th.

The newborn was discovered inside a dumpster on the 5700 block of Waterman.

Police are working leads they received after releasing a picture of someone they call a person of interest.

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Police are following up on leads Thursday after releasing a photo of a "person of interest" in the investigation of a newborn baby found in a dumpster.

According to St. Louis police, they received hundreds of calls after releasing the photo of a woman at a metro link station.

Investigators said Thursday that numerous tips called in and detectives from the Child Abuse Unit are following up on them.

The woman seen in the photo is a black female, believed to be in her 20's wearing a white jacket, blue jeans and a headband. She may also wear eyeglasses.

Investigators want to talk to her about the abandoned infant found in the alley dumpster in the 5700 block of Waterman. She was last seen on the DeBaliviere Metro Link platform the evening of May 5.

Anyone wiht information is asked to contact the St. Louis Police Child Abuse Unit at 444-5817 or Crimestoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).

Previous Story: Baby Found in Dumpster is Improving By Jeff Bernthal

A baby boy found in a dumpster on Monday night was in good condition some 24 hours later at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Police spent the day going door to door near Waterman and Debaliviere looking for the mother who left her newborn in the dumpster.

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Doctors say it appears the baby was not exposed for long, making his chances for a full recovery good. "We hope this mother comes forward and gets the kind of attention that she deserves, because we're doing everything we can for this baby," said Dr. F. Sessions Cole, St. Louis Children's Hospital.

It's rare for a mother to leave her baby in a dumpster, but it has happened before. Kathy Clark left her baby in a dumpster in 1996. Miranda Edwards did the same thing. Jessica Marie Phillips is accused of leaving her baby in a trash bag, but her case is still pending.

Experts say it's often women who hide their pregnancy and have few resources who end up abandoning their babies The St. Louis Crisis Nursery offers help both before and after birth. "But many, especially young mothers, don't know that, and so that's why our message is you are not alone, help is available, and we really do want you to call us," said Diane Mueller, Executive Director.

Laws in Missouri and Illinois also allow mothers to leave their newborns at any hospital without fear of prosecution. "Hopefully people will realize there is another alternative, and if they take advantage of that Safe Haven Law, then there won't be the consequences that there would be," said Dr. Tony Scalzon, Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.

Police say child endangerment charges could be filed against the mother, but they're just glad the baby appears to be okay.