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Baby Police Allege Was Abandoned in Sask. Store Washroom Leaves Hospital

Posted on: Thursday, 31 May 2007, 00:00 CDT

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. (CP) - A baby who police allege was abandoned in a Saskatchewan Wal-Mart washroom has been released from hospital.

They say he is in good health and is in custody of Lac La Ronge Indian Child and Family Services.

The newborn boy was found in the Prince Albert store's washroom last Monday.

Store staff worked to resuscitate the infant until ambulance officials arrived to take him to hospital.

The boy's mother came forward Friday night after police took the unusual step of releasing store video surveillance tapes showing a woman in an oversized dark coat walking into the store, and leaving just 14 minutes later.

Police wouldn't reveal exactly how old the woman is, but said she's over the age of 18.

Prince Albert police say it could be weeks before prosecutors decide whether to lay charges against mother.

Police allege the boy is the second newborn to be abandoned in Saskatchewan this year.

In February, a baby was found in frigid weather on the back step of a Saskatoon home.

While the mother in that case was found by police she wasn't charged.

Frank Quennell, the province's justice minister, has said he doesn't think the government needs legislation to better protect unwanted newborns.

He said earlier this week that the province already has a policy of not prosecuting women who leave their babies at police detachments, hospitals, clinics or with child welfare workers.

Source: Canadian Press

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