Turlock Baby Found Dead In Dumpster

A newborn in Turlock, California (near Modesto, everybody has at least an idea where Modesto is) was found dead in a dumpster behind a shopping center. The baby girl was still warm to the touch, but paramedics and hospital staff were unable to revive the baby.

She was only found because Jeff Merrow is suing the Savemart. A friend who was looking for recyclables told Merrow that there were video tapes in the dumpster. Merrow is suing Savemart over an assault and was interested in those tapes, so he went to get them. While there he came across a Target bag filled with clothes that was just to heavy, so he opened it. Inside was the baby girl with her umbilical cord still attached.

"There was something wrong," he said. "It was too heavy. I tore the bag open. I saw a towel that had blood on it and I got a really bad feeling. When I moved the towel, I saw this little baby's face."

He went on to say, "I freaked out. I panicked," Merrow said. "I started screaming for my wife, 'Call the police, call the police.' I told my wife, who was sitting inside our car, 'I found a baby. I found a little baby.' I was horrified."

While his wife was calling police found a cardboard box to place her in.

Police are trying to determine if the baby was born alive and how she ended up in the dumpster. Police are asking the mother to come forward to answer these questions and because they are concerned about her "health".

Merrow just wants the police to give the baby a name so that she doesn't end up another Baby Jane Doe, and is trying to purchase a headstone for the baby. Showing more concern than her mother did in other words.

My grandmother pointed this story out for me. She was left on a doorstep herself as a newborn, and can't understand why the mother just didn't do that. I told Grandma that there was no need. The mother has 72hours to leave the baby in a hospital, fire station or other "safe surrender site" so that there isn't the risk of the baby not being discovered in time. And that way some information about the baby birth is known (My grandmother doesn't even have a birth certificate.) And if the mother changes her mind she has two weeks to change her mind. If you have hidden your pregnancy for 9 months you might as well give the baby another half an hour or so of your time and take her somewhere safe. There is no longer reason for dead babies in dumpsters.

Also of interest:
9 Children Abandoned In Nebraska

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