DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio -- A 1-hour-old abandoned newborn was placed in the county’s temporary custody after he was found in a field near a local department store yesterday.
The male newborn was found alone in the bushes in-between the Meijer and KinderCare Learning Center on U.S. Route 23 or North High Street shortly before 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Delaware County sheriff’s office.
The infant’s umbilical cord still was attached to his body.
There was an emergency orders hearing Wednesday afternoon to put the male infant into protective custody so he could be placed with a foster family.
NBC 4’s Marshall McPeek reported with the FAST FACTS.
A complaint for neglect/dependent child was filed Wednesday, and the Delaware County Common Pleas Court approved the custody request.
The infant’s foster family reportedly was going to Nationwide Children’s Hospital to bond with him Wednesday, according to Delaware County Children Services.
Hospital officials said he is in good condition and doing well.
Children Services said the newborn could be released from the hospital and into the family’s care as early as Thursday.
The family already has one foster child and already has the required 36 hours of training and state licensing.
Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost said Franklin County has had rescue calls from people claiming to be blood relatives. He said the Delaware County sheriff's office is following those leads.
Delaware County Sheriff Walter Davis III would not comment on those reports.
Davis did release surveillance photos from a Goodwill Store near the spot where the infant was found.
The woman in the photos was not presumed to be the baby's mother, but investigators think she might have been in the area when the newborn was dropped off.
Investigators would like to talk to her about anything she might have seen.
Store clerks told deputies the woman seemed unnerved while in the store.
Davis said he believes the woman might have been near the scene long enough to have seen emergency crews arrive.
Investigators also continued to think a white, late-model SUV was in the area at the time.
“The baby was left in a place where someone was likely to find him. It's important that we find the baby's mother and learn the circumstances that led to the baby being found alone,” said Delaware County Sheriff Walter Davis III.
If you recognize the woman in the surveillance photo or have any information, call the Delaware County sheriff's office at 740-833-2800.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 7.
For additional information on this developing story, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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