Left in Salem Hospital bathroom, woman seeks birth mom
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SALEM, Ore. – A young woman abandoned by her mother in a bathroom stall at Salem Hospital as a baby wanted to meet the nurses who took care of her 20 years ago.
Those nurses, who still work at the hospital, haven't seen the child they called "Baby Katie" who stayed at the hospital for months. Eventually, she left and found a loving, caring adoptive family.
Katie, not her real name, has known about her one-of-a-kind story since she was young. Her adoptive parents made her a memory book. She doesn't know her real birthday so her parents picked July 21, 1992 – a few days before staff at Salem Hospital found her.
She went back to Salem Hospital recently for some medical treatment and decided it was the time to reveal who she was to the nurses who still work there.
Those nurses, Brenda Peulen and Denise Ehredt, said they'd never heard of any other baby abandoned at the hospital in all those years since the summer of 1992.
"It's just great to see this kind of ending of a story that had a unique beginning. What a delightful young lady she is," said Ehredt.
Even though her birth mother abandoned her, Katie said she wants to find her. She wants to know her background, her heritage and if she has any brothers or sisters.
Katie sought connection to her birth mother and the abandonment by going into an identical bathroom Friday to the one she was left in.
"It brings back a lot of emotion for me," she said. "I feel like I’m in the moment. ... This is where I was left. It's hard to believe this is where I was left. It's a bathroom."
What would be the first question she'd ask her birth mother if she ever met her?
"Why did you leave? I mean, I would thank her because it was the best thing, but what was your reasoning? Why?" she said.
Katie said she's studying to be a nurse. Maybe that choice had something to do with all the nurses who loved her so much.
I think it would be difficult to meet your biological mother - I envision someone young and scared - and what she did was wrong -  she would need to own up to her mistakes by admitting she was your biological mom.  You look happy and healthy. I know you would like answers, but I think being thankful for loving nurses and a family - is a lot a great blessings. @BabyKatie  I wish you much success with your future and hope you can make peace with your past. : ) Â
She also has a right to know her medical history. I hope she finds her bio mom for at least that much, even if bio mom doesn't want to reestablish contact with her.
Sometimes it simply does not matter - the how or the why. All that matters is what you make of your life.Â
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Dream on, young woman. Be all you can be.
 @englishdaisy I like to think everything happens for a reason.
Thank you all so much for your support it means a lot to me. And thank you to Katu for letting me try and reach out to my birth mother. Also, thank you for letting me thank the amazing nurses in my life! If you want to help me look for her, you can post this video maybe on facebook. Someone in this area has to know something. Thanks again everyone! There is also a youtube video.THANKS!
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Baby Katie.
I hope you find the answers you are looking for Katie! Good luck in all you do in your life!
"Katie" is a lovely young woman... I wish her all the best in her life, and in finding her bio-mom..! Â :-)
Good luck, "Katie", on your quest to find your mother. You survived a 'not so great' entry into this world, but you have grown in spirit, beauty, and courage. Wishing you all the best!
@washcomom Well said Washcomon!
Thank god the birth mother decided to leave her in a hospital bathroom instead of a dumpster in an alley somewhere.. Back in the day people had no grasp of the problem of distressed, frightened mothers who just didn't know what to do with a baby they were unable to care for. Now there are "safe haven" laws designed to protect infants whose mothers are too afraid to ask for help. New babies can be left with hospitals, or police or fire stations, with no questions asked. At-risk mothers should be educated about this law. It beats the dumpster situation any day.   http://www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org/law.php
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 @StealthActivist That was only 20 years ago not 40 or 50 years ago which would be more likely considered "back in the day."  This mom cared for her child.  She left her in a "safe"place.  Her adoptive parents did a wonderful job.  I hope she can meet her birth mom.
Wow!
Awwwww...she is so darn adorable!!  What a sweetheart. The nurses still look at her with such shining eyes, too. They probably fell in love with her way back then  when she was a wee little thing in their care and it never faded.  I loved seeing this story and her visiting wit them and going back to the place she was left...a beginning of a journey.  I am wishing her all the best and a happy life, and hopefully answers to her many questions.Â
So... let's help this girl find her bio mom. I don't know how many times I have seen friends of my kids that look very much like someone I knew in school, and they turn out to be related in some way. So watch the video and see if you recognize an old friend. This happened in Salem, so pass it on to your salem friends and someone might see something in this young lady that will give a clue as to her mom's identity. If we find something interesting, keep me in the loop... and I can get the info to her.
I have chills. I sure hope this young woman is doing well today, and that she gets the answers she's seeking. And how amazing that the nurses are still there!