Mom Follows Law Leaving Baby At Fire Station

HOUSTON -- A mother who left her baby at a Houston fire station did everything according to the law, officials told KPRC Local 2.

A newborn was left at a fire station on Tidwell Road near Mesa Drive shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Firefighters discovered the baby after his mother made a frantic call to the station.

"I asked her if she wanted to return to the station," firefighter Jimmy Williams said. "She said no and at that time we started taking care of the baby."

The men's paternal instincts kicked in.

"We ran over to the store here, Fiesta, and got some formula and Pampers," firefighter Joseph Grey said.

The baby was transported to Texas Children's Hospital, where he will undergo care until he is placed with a family that plans to adopt him.

Officials said the baby was full-term and in good health. He was eating and sleeping well.

Child Protective Services officials said the mother followed the Baby Moses law.

"The law was updated in 2005 to say no questions asked," CPS spokeswoman Estella Olguin said. "If you take the baby to a hospital or fire station, we won't try to look for you. We will presume that you are the parent and that you want to put your baby up for adoption."

Grey said he would much rather see a baby safe at a fire station than find one inside a Dumpster.

"We're here to help," he said. "I think she did the right thing.

Anyone with questions about the Baby Moses law was encouraged to call the baby abandonment hotline at 1-877-904-SAVE.