Abandoned baby girl found on family's porch with umbilical cord still attached

Updated



On Monday evening, an abandoned baby was found on the porch of a southwest Atlanta home. The baby girl, nicknamed "Baby Harlan" by police, was wrapped in a Hello Kitty blanket. She still had part of her umbilical cord attached when she was found.

Three family members who live at the home found discovered the baby girl on their porch. One of the family members said:

"My nephew was bringing in the groceries and saw the infant child. I told him to call 911."


Baby Harlan is now at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Hospital. There, she is receiving necessary medical treatment. Since Monday, she has remained alert and has reportedly been eating well. She will likely go into foster care upon leaving the hospital.

Police also want to make sure that the mother of the infant receives any necessary medical treatment. They found a pair of underwear near the Harland road home and are processing them as evidence. One of the family members who found the baby said:

"I'm thinking it's a young teenager. Somebody who knows somebody who stays in this house and thought it might be a better place to leave the baby, knowing we could take care of the baby."


It is unclear whether or not the mother will face charges if she is found. According to the Georgia Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002, mothers may drop off newborn babies up to seven days old at any hospital.

Rather than being angry with the mother, neighbor Christopher Williams just hopes that this baby's birth parent is safe. He said:

"We need to raise awareness as to what can be done to help young mothers that are desperate enough to do that. This gives you a wake-up call to some things."




Watch this video about an idea people are implementing to keep abandoned babies safe:

State Pitches 'Baby Boxes' for Abandoned Babies
State Pitches 'Baby Boxes' for Abandoned Babies


More from AOL.com:
Toddler drowns after stepfather throws her into hotel pool
High school quarterback takes friend with Down Syndrome to prom after 4th grade promise
Inspiring model strikes back at body-shaming employers in the best way

Advertisement