July 5, 2009
- Portland, Oregon
Witness: Homeless mom stayed near newborn before it was found
By KATU Web Staff
PORTLAND, Ore. - The woman whose newborn baby was found crying in a northeast Portland field is appealing for custody of the child.
The woman, a 29-year-old transient who has not been identified by police, claims she left the child briefly in a field near a homeless camp site momentarily to clean her hands before handling the baby girl. A man walking his dog said he heard what he thought was a cat after his dog barked continuously near the child. The child was found in a field near a Fred Meyer store located on Northeast 102nd Avenue in the Gateway area. A woman who lives in a home close to the field said she had seen the pregnant woman many times recently. Theresa Jewett said she called 911 to get assistance for the woman, and that her husband also went to the scene to assist the woman. Jewett said the woman was apparently calling out for help while giving birth but no one came to her assistance. "That breaks my heart," Jewett said. "I'm right here and I didn't hear her." Jewett also said the woman stayed with her child until police arrived and was not found blocks away as had been reported earlier. She also said the woman wrapped the child in a blanket so it would not get cold. Oregon Department of Human Services personnel are taking care of the child while the mother waits to make a court appearance. She is seeking custody. DHS has evaluated the child's health but no reports has been released. Officials say the next step is to locate any relatives the mother may have who can care for the child since her birth mother is homeless. DHS, Family Services and a Juvenile Court judge are due to meet at 2:30 p.m. on Monday to determine the best course of action for the newborn girl. |
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