Homeless Mom Abandons Newborn, Faces Neglect Charge

A woman facing homelessness and overwhelming depression left her 19-day-old son behind a shopping center in Indianapolis, Indiana. She had considered adoption but ultimately decided to abandon the infant, leaving a note indicating she was unable to care for him.

The baby was discovered by a concerned citizen and found to be healthy and unharmed, having been unattended for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Police later identified and arrested the woman, who was reportedly staying with an ex-boyfriend who did not want the newborn in his home.

Court records revealed the woman was already under investigation by the Indiana Department of Child Services, with tests showing ethanol and glucuronide in her umbilical cord blood. Despite this, Indiana law provides Safe Haven provisions allowing parents to anonymously surrender infants up to 60 days old without prosecution under specific conditions.