Baby Abandoned Outside Maryland Fire Facility

May 4, 2007
An employee on his way into the building noticed the child wrapped in a blanket and fully-clothed.

LANDOVER, Md. --

Police continue to search for the parents of a 7-month-old boy who was abandoned outside the Prince George's County Fire Services building Thursday in Landover, Md.

Investigators told News4 that the 7 1/2-month-old child was dropped off by an unknown person or persons at about 2 p.m.

An employee on his way into the building noticed the child wrapped in a blanket and fully-clothed, lying in the grass near the entrance, NBC4's Jackie Benson reported.

The baby was taken to Prince George's Hospital for evaluation and found to be healthy with no medical problems, officials said.

Police said they believe the child's name may be Elijah, but wouldn't say why they think that. They said they are investigating who dropped the baby off at the fire facility, located at 6820 Webster Street just off Annapolis Road, and why they might have done it.

Officers canvassed the neighborhood and spoke to a number of residents, looking for information.

In 2002, Maryland passed a safe haven law for abandoned babies, which says that a parent will not be prosecuted if he or she leaves the child with a responsible adult, such as a priest, lawyer or doctor, or at an approved place, including a firehouse or hospital. The law would not apply in this case, Benson reported, because the child must be less than 3-days-old.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call Prince George's County police.

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