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Baby dropped off at Indianapolis fire station

Posted at 1:27 PM, Mar 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-02 17:01:49-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- A baby is safe at IU Riley Hospital after it was dropped off at a fire station on Indianapolis' west side Wednesday morning.

Fire officials say a man rang the doorbell at IFD Station 30 at 6:40 a.m.

He told firefighters he wanted to turn a baby over to child services.

According to the state'sSafe Haven law, a child between the ages of 1 and 30 days can be turned over anonymously, without the fear of arrest or prosecution, at a hospital emergency room, fire station or police station in Indiana.

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Station 30 also serves as a Safe Place which is a separate program but compliments the Safe Haven Law and allows for safe transfer of a young baby.

Firefighters say the man who dropped off the baby was about 25 years old.

He told them the baby was 1-day-old and not born in a hospital. He did not tell them where the birth happened.

The baby appeared to be clean, in good health, and was wearing a clean diaper. The umbilical cord was cut and clamped with a hair clip.

The man also gave firefighters supplies for the baby that he brought with him.

Firefighters warmed up blankets and swaddled the baby until paramedics arrived.

IMPD officers happened to be at the station on an unrelated matter. They helped notify the appropriate agencies and gave the man a pamphlet to give to the mother.

Firefighters also asked about the mother to see if she needed medical care. The man told them she was OK and didn't need assistance.

Once the baby is examined and given medical treatment if needed, the Indiana Department of Child Services will custody of the baby and it will be placed with a caregiver.

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