Search continues for mom of baby found in trash

HOUSTON The small body of a newborn girl was found late Tuesday morning at an apartment complex on South Shaver near Crenshaw when a cardboard box fell off the top of a pile of after-Christmas trash left in the apartment complex dumpster. There were no obvious signs of trauma, according to police.

The body is believed to have been left there late Tuesday night.

"It's scary to do something like that when they can give the baby away to somebody or take it to the hospital," said Margaret Ward.

Ten years ago, the state of Texas adopted the Baby Moses Law which allows newborns to be left at fire or police stations or hospitals with no questions asked. The baby can be handed over anonymously, and will receive proper medical care.

Even so, last month a newborn left on a stranger's doorstep died; another left in front of a League City house suffered from hypothermia after a night spent in the cold.

This case being investigated now has a big question. Was the child a stillborn birth or was it born alive? That will also determine charges if the mother is found. Children's Protective Services says she needs to be found.

"For the woman who has a child and something horrible happens, that woman needs help and we want to make sure she gets it cause she may have other children, she may have other situations in her life," said Gwen Carter, CPS Spokesperson.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.