HOUSTON – A baby girl was dropped off at a north Houston fire station on Monday, according to police.
The girl, who is believed to be around 10 months old, was left at Houston Fire Station 58, near the intersection of Fulton Street and Parker Road, officials said.
Officials said the girl was brought to the station around 5:20 p.m. Monday by a woman who said the child's mother gave her the girl and told her to bring her to a fire station.
“I’d rather have these drop offs rather than finding a child in the dumpster or on a park bench. For us, we encourage you to feel confident to bring them to our fire station, but the one step we always ask put them in the arms of a fireman, we are not going to ask any questions we are going to care for the child,” said Houston Fire Department spokesperson Ruy Lozano.
The child was taken to an area hospital after she was dropped off at the station about 5 p.m., but officials said it doesn't appear she has any injuries and she was in great health.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services was awarded temporary custody Tuesday of the baby. She will remain in foster care.
The next custody hearing will take place on Jan. 21.
No charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing.
The Safe Haven law, also known as the Baby Moses law, allows parents in Texas who cannot care for a child younger than 2 months old to leave the baby with an employee at a hospital, freestanding emergency medical care facility, fire station or EMS station. The law also protects the identity of the person who leaves the child.
Here are some facts about the law:
- Your baby must be 60 days old or younger and unharmed and safe.
- You may take your baby to any hospital, fire station, or emergency medical services (EMS) station in Texas.
- You need to give your baby to an employee who works at one of these safe places and tell this person that you want to leave your baby at a Safe Haven.
- You may be asked by an employee for family or medical history to make sure that your baby receives the care they need.