JUNEAU (AP) — Authorities have located the mother of a baby found abandoned in a cardboard box in frigid conditions in Fairbanks last week.
A unit within the state troopers that handles major cases identified and located the mother on Jan. 4, and she was taken to a hospital for evaluation and medical care, troopers said in a statement Jan. 5. Troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain said by email that she is a teenager.
“The mother is cooperative and at this time, her well-being and medical treatment is the priority,” DeSpain said.
The statement from the troopers said the investigation “into the circumstances surrounding the baby being abandoned is ongoing, and no criminal charges have been filed at this time.”
Troopers on Jan. 4 reported the child, known as Teshawn from a note left in the box, was in good health and in the care of the Office of Children’s Services.
Troopers said they were notified about the abandoned baby Dec. 31. The wind chill factor in the area at the time was reported at minus 12.
A woman posted on social media that she had found the baby. The post, which was dated Dec. 31, included a video that showed a baby swaddled in a box and a note. The note, written from the child’s perspective, said, “please help me!!!”
The note indicated the child was born that day. It said the baby’s parents and grandparents didn’t have food or money to provide care.
Alaska has a safe haven law that allows parents to legally surrender an infant under certain conditions, such as leaving the baby in the physical custody of someone such as a peace officer, doctor, hospital employee or firefighter or with someone they believe would provide appropriate care. The law applies to babies younger than 21 days old.
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