Officials: Newborn baby girl found wrapped in blanket on a hill in Florida

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A newborn girl was found wrapped in a blanket on a hill in Mulberry, Florida, on Saturday morning, officials say.

>> Read more trending news

In a news release, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said deputies found a newborn early Saturday morning after they received a call from someone who claimed that they heard a baby crying outside.

Deputies arrived in the area just before 2 a.m. and located the baby on a small hill near the Regal Loop Mobile Home Park off Bailey Road. Authorities said that the placenta was still attached to the baby.

Polk County Fire Rescue medics estimated that the baby was born about an hour before she was found based on the baby’s body temperature, according to WFTV.

Officials say the temperature outside at the time the baby was found was in the lower 50s.

The baby was taken to the hospital and according to WFTV, appears to be healthy and in stable condition.

“It was by the grace of God that we found the abandoned baby girl when we did before exposure to the cold or any animals caused her any harm. She was left in an extremely vulnerable condition, but she’s a strong little girl, and it looks like she’s doing great,” said Sheriff Grady Judd in the news release.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said it is working to locate the baby’s mother. A K-9 unite, a drone and an aviation unit, as well as a bloodhound, were used to search for her. Deputies also reportedly went door to door in the area in an attempt to find her, but have so far been unsuccessful.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind mothers about Florida’s Safe Haven Law, enacted in 2000, which allows for parents to leave their unharmed newborn child (under a week old) at any Safe Haven facility (hospitals or properly staffed EMS/Fire Station) anonymously, and without fear of prosecution,” sheriff’s office said in the news release.

Anyone with information about the mother of the baby is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.

On AirWMMO - Orlando's Classic Hits Logo

mobile apps

Everything you love about wmmo.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!