ARIZONA NEWS

Newborn baby taken to hospital after being left on doorstep of Mesa home

Jul 22, 2022, 1:47 PM | Updated: 2:42 pm

(Mesa Police Department Photo)...

(Mesa Police Department Photo)

(Mesa Police Department Photo)

PHOENIX — A newborn baby was taken to the hospital Friday after being left on the doorstep of a Mesa home, authorities said.

The Mesa Police Department received a call from a woman at about 11:20 a.m. that she found the child outside her residence near 56th Street and McKellips Road, spokesman Richard Encinas said during a press conference.

The woman said she heard someone ring the doorbell about five minutes before she checked her doorstep, Encinas said.

The child, who Encinas said is maybe a day old, is believed to be in good health but was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

“We were thankful she was home and actually opened the door,” Encinas said.

Police are unsure why the baby was left on the doorstep of the neighborhood, which is a community for those ages 55 and up.

The woman who found the baby is not believed to be involved in the baby’s abandonment.

Arizona’s safe haven law offers 30 days for a person to not face criminal charges for giving up a newborn. Encinas said the law won’t apply in this case.

Since the original safe haven law went into effect in 2001, nearly 50 babies have been safely surrendered in Arizona.

“Luckily it ended OK for the baby this time, but it could have been a lot worse situation with the heat out here right now,” Encinas said. “It’s really hot today.”

Friday’s high temperature in Mesa is forecast to reach 111 degrees.

An excessive heat warning for the metro Phoenix area is in effect until 8 p.m.

No other information was available.

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Newborn baby taken to hospital after being left on doorstep of Mesa home