A newborn baby was rescued by Phoenix police after being left alone for several days with their deceased mother. The infant was found severely dehydrated and “clinging to life,” according to authorities.
Neighbors Raised the Alarm
Officers responded to a home in south Phoenix last month after neighbors reported not seeing the mother for several days. Concerned about her safety, they called police for a welfare check.
Body camera footage released by the Phoenix Police Department shows officers knocking and calling out from outside the apartment. While no one answered, an officer peering through an open window and spotted the baby, saying, “The baby’s here, dude. And the baby’s still alive.”
Moments later, officers also saw the mother lying motionless on the floor. They then forced the door open and entered the home, where they found the newborn wrapped in blankets near the mother’s body.
Hospital Staff Say Timing Was Critical
The baby was described as “visibly emaciated” and severely dehydrated. Sgt. Brian Bower, a spokesperson for the Phoenix Police Department, said the child was found curled up in bed next to their mother’s body. Emergency medical teams provided immediate aid and rushed the baby to the hospital.
According to hospital staff, the child might not have survived much longer without the officers’ quick response. “If the police didn’t go in when they did, the baby might not have made it,” Sgt. Bower said in an interview.
The infant was listed in critical condition but has since improved. Police confirmed the baby is now expected to survive. The child’s name and gender have not been released. The identity of the mother and cause of death remain under investigation.
Police have not yet shared further details about how long the mother had been deceased or whether the child was born at home or in a hospital. Investigators continue to look into the circumstances surrounding the case.
Community Shocked by Tragic Scene
The incident has drawn emotional reactions from the local community. Neighbors expressed heartbreak and gratitude for the officers who acted quickly. “It’s a miracle that baby is alive,” one neighbor told local media.
For now, the rescued child remains in medical care. Police say they are thankful the baby survived and credit the officers’ fast response for making the difference.
