'Heartbroken' Mother Surrenders Baby to Fire Department Sunday

A woman surrendered her newborn baby boy at Fire Station 5 in northeast Oceanside Sunday afternoon under a safe surrender program for newborns, Battalion Chief Pete Lawrence said in an email.

“The mother appeared heartbroken over the decision but was very calm and cooperative,” he said.

Crews evaluated the baby and the mother completed a health questionnaire, though she declined medical evaluation or transport, he said. The baby was taken to a hospital to be evaluated and Child Welfare Services have been notified.

San Diego County’s Safe Arms for Newborns allows parents to anonymously drop off newborns without fear of prosecution, he said.

The boy was the second baby in 18 months to be surrendered at the station under the program, which allows parents to drop off a newborn child within 72 hours of birth to a safe surrender site, he said.

A biological parent can reclaim the baby within 14 days of the surrender, he added.

Persons interested in the “Safe Surrender” program can call 211 for more information or read the San Diego County’s Safe Arms for Newborns website.

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