HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A newborn baby was found dead outside a concrete industrial plant in north Harris County Tuesday afternoon, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
The baby was discovered outside a plant on Henry Road near the Hardy Toll Road.
Deputies on the scene said the baby was found in a deep ditch by a private lawn crew who called 911.
The newborn was partially clothed, lying face down on a blanket. The child's gender is unknown at this time.
Deputies said it was hard to tell how long the baby had been there before being found.
HCSO reminded parents that a Texas law allows them to drop babies off at a safe place like a hospital or fire station without facing legal action. It's known as the Safe Haven or Baby Moses law.
"There apparently has been a little bit of an epidemic so I'd like to mention the Baby Moses law," said John Nanny Harris with HCSO.
Watch the full update from HCSO:
Tuesday’s discovery was the third baby either abandoned or found dead in last month.
Earlier this month, investigations say a woman passed out while giving birth and woke up to find her baby dead. They said she panicked and put the newborn in the trash. That baby was found by trash collectors on Falcon Crest Drive last Wednesday.
And on July 21, a woman is accused of putting her baby in a plastic bag and dropping the infant near a dumpster on Dashwood near Bellaire. In that case, someone heard the baby crying and called 911.
More on Safe Haven or Baby Moses law in Texas
If you're thinking about bringing your baby to a designated Safe Haven, here's what you need to know.
- 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.
- If you leave your baby at a fire or EMS station, your baby may be taken to a hospital to receive any medical attention they need. Remember, If you leave your unharmed infant at a Safe Haven, you will not be prosecuted for abandonment or neglect.