Newborn Baby Abandoned on Texas Trail Amid Scorching Heat

Luis Marin and Daniela Fedele were walking with their own young child when they discovered the abandoned newborn

An hours-old newborn baby girl, with her umbilical cord still attached, was abandoned by a man along a walking trail in Katy, Texas, as the region suffers from extreme heat. The Harris County Sheriff's Office is searching for a young, slim Hispanic or white man with a fair complexion and black hair, who was seen holding the infant wrapped in a towel.

The premature baby girl was discovered Saturday morning on a bridge along the Plantation Lakes trail, wrapped in a towel. She was taken to the Methodist Hospital in Katy and is reported to be in good condition. Child Protective Services will soon take over her care.

Authorities are seeking information on the man spotted with the baby. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and possibly gray pants, walking on foot near the 5500 block of Casa Martin, close to Greenhouse and N Fry Road.

Sergeant Juan Garcia from the Harris County Sheriff's Office's child abuse unit stated the baby was likely born that morning, given the attached umbilical cord and fresh placenta.

“The two witnesses who found the baby while walking with their child and dogs were a blessing,” Garcia said. “They noticed a male walking away from a white towel, discovered the child, and immediately contacted 911, ensuring the baby wasn’t exposed to the extreme heat for long.”

The National Weather Service had warned of hot and humid conditions in the Houston area over the Father's Day weekend, with temperatures in Katy reaching a possible 95F. If not found quickly, the abandoned baby could have suffered from the severe heat.

The baby was found on this small bridge on a walking trail in Katy

Daniela Fedele, one of the witnesses, told KPRC, “We were heading home because it was hot. When I looked closer, I saw a baby’s feet moving. I couldn’t believe my eyes.” Her husband, Luis Marin, added, “The baby opened her eyes and looked at me. I can’t understand how someone could do this.”

As of Saturday, authorities had no leads but were reviewing possible surveillance footage from the area. Garcia stated that charges related to this incident would include abandonment and endangerment of a child.

He urged parents in need to utilize the Baby Moses, or Safe Haven, law, which allows them to bring their newborn to designated safe places, such as hospitals and fire stations, with no questions asked.