Baby stuffed in plastic bag found alive after three days
What's the story
Every once in a while, you come across news that's both utterly shocking and at the same time, instils hope.
An 8-month-old baby was found stuffed inside a plastic bag and left to die beneath a bush in residential neighbourhood in Elmira, New York.
Police say the baby survived in that condition for over 72 hours. Thankfully, she will make a full recovery.
Quote
Police call her "miracle baby"
"The baby was dehydrated and currently in stable condition but expected to make a full recovery," said Elmira Police Sgt. Bill Solt. "We are looking about 72-hours in the bag," Solt said, adding that, "She's a miracle baby."
Mother arrested
Police arrest baby's mother, charger her with "attempted murder"
Police have arrested the infant's mother, identified as 17-year old Harriette Hoyt of Sayre, Pennsylvania, which is located 20 miles away from Elmira.
Hoyt allegedly abandoned her baby in the plastic bag after visiting her friend in the area.
Hoyt has been charged as an adult with attempted murder, "but is eligible for youthful offender status," said Sgt. Solt.
Details
How the abandoned baby was found
The baby was found by sisters Karen and Kayla Seals, who were investigating a "suspicious" sound near their neighbor's house.
Karen said: "We thought it was a dog ... and it wasn't. It was a baby."
"Her legs were just dangling in the bag. Her head was in the bag. Her whole head was covered all the way down," said Kayla.
What happened?
Baby was in "filthy" condition, was barely breathing
Kayla said the baby was barely breathing when they found her.
An official said the plastic bag was "filthy" and the baby's diaper was soiled and she had rashes all over her body.
Kayla said the baby's eyes were barely opening and she gasped for air after some water was dropped in her mouth.
Kayla and her sister cleaned the infant and called paramedics.