Investigators: Baby not found in trash bin

The Colorado Springs Police Department says it has determined that a baby reportedly found in a trash bin was actually never near the dumpster.

Around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, a citizen reported finding a baby in a community trash bin in the 300 block of Shadowridge Grove in the Rosemont at Shadow Grove apartment complex.

Colorado Springs Police spokesperson Barbara Miller tells KRDO NewsChannel 13 that the 17-year-old mother of the newborn allegedly told another person that she found the baby in a trash dumpster. That person called authorities.

The mother’s name has not been released.

The baby girl was found alert and awake and was transported to Memorial Hospital Central for observation. The baby was listed in stable condition on Wednesday and has been placed in protective custody with the DHS.

Investigators at the scene interviewed a 17-year-old girl who was later found out to be the mother. Detectives determined that the girl made up the story of finding a baby in a trash can.

Police are considering charges against the mother, including a felony charge of influencing a public official or a misdemeanor charge of false reporting.

A spokesman at the scene told NEWSCHANNEL 13 that the child was approximately 3 months old but later information indicated that the child was 6-12 hours old.

CSPD’s Child Abuse Unit is working this investigation.