Arlington police released new details Tuesday about a newborn baby who was found abandoned next to an apartment complex's trash bin over the weekend, in hopes of finding the infant's mother.
Officers were called to the apartments in the 2100 block of Tan Oak Lane just after 8 a.m. Saturday when a woman heard the child crying.
The 4 pound, 12 ounce baby boy, who was born about two hours earlier, was zipped into a black suitcase and wrapped in a blanket. He had been born about four to six weeks premature, police said.
We are releasing new details and clues in reference to a baby boy being found near the dumpster Sat. The baby was heard crying inside the suitcase. These photos represent the exact suitcase, blanket and scarf. We hope that someone will recognize these items and come forward. pic.twitter.com/GMxXOPRtXv
— Arlington Police, TX (@ArlingtonPD) September 24, 2019
Police released images Tuesday of a suitcase and blanket, as well as a scarf that was in the suitcase, in hopes that someone who knows who they belong to will recognize them.
The child was taken to a hospital, and he will be put in the custody of Child Protective Services when he is released, police said.
Detective Morgan Speer said Tuesday that the boy was incredibly lucky — a maintenance worker who puts the complex's garbage in a trash compactor was late to arrive Saturday morning.
Speer said that police's main concern now is the mother's safety.
"We don't know if she's OK, we don't know where she's at," she said.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 817-469-8477.
Texas law allows for infants younger than 2 months to be safely left at locations including hospitals and fire stations.
