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Police: Mother of baby found abandoned in Upper Darby identified

Published 
News
FOX 29 Philadelphia

Police: Mother of baby found abandoned in Upper Darby identified

Upper Darby police say a juvenile female has been identified as the mother of a newborn found abandoned earlier this week.

UPPER DARBY, Pa. - Upper Darby police say a juvenile female has been identified as the mother of a newborn found abandoned earlier this week.

The juvenile was offered help and charges are pending, according to police. 

The baby was found on the 100 block of Englewood Road around 12 p.m. Tuesday.

In Pennsylvania, the Newborn Protection Act (Safe Haven) states that a parent of a newborn may leave a child in the care of a hospital or a police officer at a police station without being criminally liable, as long as the child is no older than 28 days and is not harmed.

"What's up baby,” said Terrell Phillips as he recorded video of an unbelievable and emotional moment. 

“The baby was beautiful. Beautiful baby,” said Thomas Daley.

But how Daley found the baby girl is disturbing.

"To come home from work in the middle of the day and find a baby on your back steps is just crazy,” said Daley.

“She was right there between the door and the screen," said Daley as he pointed to the spot. He said his neighbor Phillips stopped him and pointed to the baby on the side porch of Daley's home.

“He said, Mr. Tom what is this?' I said, 'What you are talking about?' So I walked back, and he said there’s a baby here. I said, 'A baby?' It is a baby. She started crying. I picked her up and held her. It felt good, as a parent, holding this child. She stopped making noise and she became very quiet,” said Thomas, who immediately called police.

"Six or seven hours old, umbilical cord cut, wrapped in a white blanket or towel and apparently cleaned up," said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood.

Phillips says he just wants what is best for the little girl. 

“I was in the right place at the right time. I’m not looking to be called a hero. I just want the best for the little girl,” said Phillips 

He says he celebrated his birthday Monday and coming out to find this newborn the very next day he believes was meant to happen.

“I’m hoping the best for her. I want her to be able to grow up and live and not have to be caught in the environment she once was in. I feel like everything happens for a reason," he said.