Newborn Baby Abandoned On Annapolis Doorstep: Police

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The mother of an hours-old infant left the baby boy on the doorstep of an Annapolis minister early Friday. Annapolis Police are searching for the mother, who may need medical treatment. Her child is in good health and was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center for care.

Police were called to a home in the 2000 block of Forest Drive just after 6:30 a.m. for the report of an Hispanic baby left outside.

"We are concerned about the health of the mother of the child and are asking her to come forward to receive medical care. She may need medical attention or be a victim of a crime," police said in a news release.

Authorities reminded parents that under Maryland's Safe Haven law, a parent who is unable or unwilling to care for their infant may safely give up custody of their baby, no questions asked. Newborns can be left at hospitals or law enforcement stations.

The Capital-Gazette reports that the child was left at the home of Pastor Charles Carrollwith the New Creations Deliverance Ministries church. Carroll told the newspaper he didn't hear a knock at the door or the doorbell ring.

Carroll said his son was up early for basketball when he yelled out "there is baby at the door." He didn't believe it until he saw the baby boy bundled in adult clothing.

A parent, or another adult with the approval of the mother, has up to 10 days after a child's birth to anonymously and safely leave a baby with a responsible adult at an approved site. A person who invokes Safe Haven is immune from civil liability or criminal prosecution if the child is unharmed.

If you have questions about the Safe Haven law, call the Department of Human Resources at 800-332-6347 or your local department of social services.

Anyone with information about the identity of the mother or about her whereabouts is asked to call police at 410-260-3439. Officers ask residents not to share personal information about the mother on the department's social media pages.

Designated Safe Haven locations in Anne Arundel County are:

Anne Arundel Medical Center
2001 Medical Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
University of MD Baltimore Washington Medical Center
301 Hospital Drive
Glen Burnie, MD 21061-5899

Anne Arundel County – Police Stations

Annapolis Police Department
199 North Taylor Ave
Annapolis, MD 21401
Anne Arundel County Police Dept
8495 Veterans Highway
Millersville, MD 21108
Eastern District Headquarters
204 Mountain Road
Pasadena, MD 21122
Northern District Headquarters
939 Hammonds Lane
Baltimore, MD 21225
Western District Headquarters
8273 Telegraph Road
Odenton, MD 21113
Southern District Headquarters
35 Stepneys Lane
Edgewater, MD 21037
Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office
8 Church Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
Maryland State Police
610 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
Maryland State Police
6800 Aviation Blvd
Glen Burnie, MD 21061

»Photos of abandoned baby boy and clothing left with the infant courtesy of Annapolis Police