ALICE, TX (CNN) - A South Texas newborn is hospitalized this morning after being found in a shoebox on the steps of a church.
A woman attending mass at a Catholic church in Alice found the baby girl Wednesday morning. She says the shoebox had a hole cut it in, presumably so the baby could breathe. The baby's umbilical cord was still attached and doctors say she was probably born on Tuesday.
The woman who found the baby is thankful the mother chose to leave the girl in a safe place.
The woman, who doesn't want to be identified says, "I pray for that baby and I pray for the mommy. I ask that the mommy, wherever that person is, to know that we love her and we're here to help her in any way possible."
"If the mother wants to come forward she is not in trouble. We want to help her and our people in the community will be more than glad to help her in any way, in any form and to help the family members if that is the case," says Chief Danny Bueno of the Alice Police Department.
Doctors say the little girl is in good health. But they'll keep an eye on her for the next few days. The staff is calling her "Baby Angel" for now. Since she was left at a church, it falls under the state's safe haven law. The baby will eventually be placed in foster care and put up for adoption.
