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News Specialist Jill Atwood reporting An 18 year old woman in Sandy secretly gave birth in an apartment, and then neglected the infant to the point of near death. Now, she may face criminal charges.
Paramedics say the woman claims she didn't know she was pregnant and then tried to conceal the birth. Right now that baby is in critical condition, very touch and go at this point, but he may pull through.
In the meantime, doctors at Primary Children's Hospital want to get the word out again about the 72 hour rule.
On Sunday night a young woman who lives in a Sandy Apartment complex gave birth to a baby boy. Paramedics arrived shortly after she called for help, but oddly enough she never once mentioned a baby. Crews then found the newborn in the bathroom, and he's not breathing.
Sgt. Michelle Burnett/Sandy Police Department - "SHE ACKNOWLEDGED IT AT THAT POINT BUT SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT AND I DON'T KNOW ANY OF HER OTHER COMMENTS AFTER THE BABY WAS FOUND AT THAT POINT THE FOCUS WAS ON REVIVING THE BABY."
Today at Primary Children's Hospital doctors have a message for young women, young parents who find themselves emotionally overwhelmed by the pressures of parenthood.
Dr. Edward Clark/Primary Children's Hospital - "IN THE STATE OF UTAH THE SAFE RELINQUISHMENT OF A NEWBORN CHILD LAW PROVIDES THAT A NEWBORN THREE DAYS OR YOUNGER MAY BE RELINQUISHED AT ANY HOSPITAL IN THE STATE PROVIDED THE CHILD HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECTED TO ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS.
The law went into affect two years ago after several high profile baby abandonment cases. Five babies have been given up under this law, no questions asked and those children are in good homes.
Unfortunately in this case, an 18 year woman didn't feel like she had many options and now faces possibly losing her child.
And she may face criminal child abuse charges. At this point the district attorney is holding off waiting to see if the baby survives. The division of child and family services is also investigating this case.
