Baby Found in Mailbox Came 'Home' To Jefferson

It was 38 years ago today that a resident of the Department for Persons With Disabilities (DPD) found a very special delivery in the DPD’s mailbox. What follows is the story of what happened that day, as told by Chris Brancato of the DPD.

Walter Barton was one of the first residents that the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD) ever served. Walter came to the Murray House in 1972 after his mother passed away. Walter’s age was never known, but somewhere in his 60s was everyone's best guess. Walter did not speak very much, but one of his few phrases that he mastered was, "None of Your Business", which was his response to most questions asked of him; including “How old are you?”

Walter knew his way around his hometown and everyone in town knew him. Walter was quite a character and had a great sense of humor. He really identified with several of the young college students who were in the Department in the 70s. Walter insisted on growing his hair to shoulder length, like the guys. Even in the summer he wore nothing but jeans and a flannel shirt. He was easy to love because he had so much character and personality. He had qualities that brought out the best in everyone.

In the summer of 1973, Walter was living in Oak Ridge at Wiegand Farms. He went out to the mailbox every day, which was an essential part of his daily routine. It was his job and his job alone. Walter felt very important and he was there like clockwork, even if the mail was not. He took great pride in completing this task. On August 17, 1973, Walter went to the mailbox and came back with a very special package in hand. Walter came into the house with a newborn infant, only hours old, wrapped in an old army blanket. A young staff member, Julie Feehan (Tatti) was in the farmhouse folding laundry and took the baby, cleaned her, and called the police and ambulance. It was like a miracle, a beautiful new born infant. Someone abandoned her in the DPD’s mailbox, presumably because they knew they were Catholic Charities and the baby would be cared for. It was something that Walter never forgot.  Without Walter, the baby would have surely perished in the summer heat.

After the shock wore off, Walter was furious and would often say, "They took my baby! Where is she?"

He never did quite understand and was always suspicious. All the staff at the DPD knew after that was that the baby was fine and that she was adopted.

On Dec. 29, 1994, 21 years later, a woman (the baby) came to the DPD’s main office in Oak Ridge and asked for information on Wiegand Farms. She had a news clipping from 21 years prior that her adoptive parents had given her. She introduced herself to the staff team and was elated to meet the people that were there at the time. Julie was one of the staff members who was working at the time and was able to tell the young woman the story about the day she was found.  She was a pre-med student in an Ivy League school. She was so happy to hear the story of Walter and to know that he saved her life. Walter was probably smiling in heaven, glad to know where "his baby" was.

Walter Barton is one of the DPD’s many touching success stories. Walter made a difference in someone’s life and so can you! For more information on the DPD please contact Chris Brancato, at 973-406-1104 or by email at ChrisB@dpd.org.