Mother Charged With Attempted Murder After 1-Hour-Old Baby Found Stuffed In Trash At California Gas Station: Cops

A California woman was arrested after a newborn baby was found crying inside a trash can in a gas station restroom, police said.

Around 3:30 p.m. on March 9, the 1-hour-old infant was rescued from the bin at the service station in Fullerton, according to the Fullerton Police Department.

Investigators said the gas station clerk was the person who found the baby and notifed police.

Sergeant Ryan O’Neil said officers “immediately began life-saving measures” and the baby was transported to a local hospital for further medical care.

The baby is in critical but stable condition, O’Neil said.

Detectives obtained surveillance footage, which showed what authorities believe was the suspect’s vehicle, KTTV reported.

A search warrant was issued and around 1:45 a.m. on March 10, officers arrested Fullerton resident Venissa Maldonado, 26, officials said.

Maldonado was charged with attempted murder and felony child abuse.

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O'Neill remind the public about laws in California that are in place to prevent such incidents from occurring.

"There are Safe Surrender Baby laws that allow parents, guardians or mothers to surrender their child within 72 hours of birth with no questions asked," O’Neil noted. "There are hospitals that are designated as safe surrender along with fire departments.”