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Baby rescued from hazardous California tent
18 Sep
Summary
- Newborn found in makeshift tent under freeway overpass
- Parents arrested for child endangerment due to hazardous conditions
- Baby taken to hospital for evaluation and later NICU
Sheriff's deputies in Yolo County, California, responded to a tip on September 9th regarding a family living beneath an I-5 freeway overpass. Upon arrival, they discovered a 7-day-old infant with parents Fernando Esparza, 48, and Melissa Rivera, 29, in a makeshift tent.
Authorities documented hazardous conditions, including numerous suspected methamphetamine pipes, piles of trash, rotten food, vomit on a mattress, and feces in a baby carrier. The mother's placenta and umbilical cord were also found in a nearby garbage bag. The parents acknowledged the dangers to investigators.
Both parents were arrested on child endangerment charges. The infant was removed, evaluated by AMR, and transported to Woodland Memorial Hospital. The baby was later transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit in Sacramento County. Rivera pleaded not guilty to her charge and was released under court supervision, with her next hearing set for October 13th.
