Austin, September 23, 2025
News Summary
A newborn baby girl was found abandoned in a dumpster at a North Austin apartment complex. The baby is recovering in the hospital, and her condition is improving. Investigators are searching for the parents, while the case highlights Texas’ Safe Haven Law, which gives parents a safe option to surrender their newborns without legal repercussions.
Austin – A newborn baby girl was discovered abandoned in a dumpster at a North Austin apartment complex on Saturday. The incident occurred at an apartment complex situated on North Lamar Boulevard near Payton Gin Road. Fortunately, the baby is currently recovering in the hospital and is undergoing evaluation, with a spokesperson from the Austin Police Department confirming that her condition is improving.
Detectives are actively working to locate the baby’s parents; however, as of now, no charges have been filed. Misty Enos, a supervisor at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), indicated that the baby is expected to be discharged into a safe environment, ensuring her well-being.
This incident brought attention to Texas’ Safe Haven Law, also known as the Baby Moses Law, which allows parents unable to care for their newborns to leave them anonymously at designated safe spaces without facing legal repercussions. To qualify for the Safe Haven Law, newborns must be 60 days old or younger and unharmed.
Designated safe spaces under this law include hospitals, fire stations, EMS stations, and free-standing emergency centers. Parents who choose to leave their unharmed infants at these locations will not be prosecuted for abandonment or neglect. The law is intended to provide a choice for women facing difficult circumstances.
In recent fiscal years, the DFPS reported a total number of babies surrendered under the Safe Haven Law. Furthermore, the initiative highlights the efforts of Monica Kelsey, who was abandoned as a child and created Safe Haven Baby Boxes. These boxes are installed on the exterior walls of fire stations and hospitals, locking once an infant is placed inside, and immediately alerting authorities.
While Safe Haven Baby Boxes are available in other Texas cities, none have been installed in the Austin area so far. In the previous year, Texas reported 33 cases of infant abandonment, with the majority resulting in the tragic discovery of deceased infants. Kelsey emphasized the importance of these boxes, allowing parents to surrender infants without the need for conversation or judgment.
Individuals interested in supporting the Safe Haven Baby Boxes initiative can visit shbb.org. For further information about the Safe Haven Law, individuals can call the Texas Baby Moses Hotline at 800-392-3352.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Austin?
A newborn baby girl was found in a dumpster at a North Austin apartment complex on Saturday.
What is the condition of the baby?
The baby is currently recovering in the hospital and is under evaluation.
Are there any legal repercussions for parents who surrender a newborn under the Safe Haven Law?
People leaving unharmed infants at Safe Haven locations will not face prosecution for abandonment or neglect.
What allows parents to utilize the Safe Haven Law?
Newborns must be 60 days old or younger and unharmed to qualify under the Safe Haven Law.
Key Features of the Safe Haven Law
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | Newborns must be 60 days old or younger. |
| Condition | Babies must be unharmed to qualify. |
| Designated Locations | Hospitals, fire stations, EMS stations, and free-standing emergency centers. |
| Legal Protection | Parents will not face prosecution for abandonment or neglect. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Newborn Baby Found Alive in North Austin Dumpster
Newborn Baby Found Alive in Austin Dumpster
Baby Found Abandoned in Dumpster in North Austin
Baby Girl Found Alive in North Austin Dumpster
Additional Resources
- KXAN: Experts say law could have prevented baby abandonment
- Wikipedia: Safe haven law
- KVUE: Dumpster baby hospital recovery
- Google Search: Safe Haven Baby Boxes
- News4SanAntonio: Newborn found abandoned along highway
- Google Scholar: Baby Moses Law
- CNN: Tennessee killings and abandoned baby arrest
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baby Moses Law
- NY Times: Tennessee abandoned baby suspect
- Google News: Texas Safe Haven Law
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
