In an incredible turn of events, a baby girl who was abandoned in the woods just one hour after her birth has finally found a loving family to call her own. This heartwarming story unfolded nearly a year ago and, as of November 29, the child was officially adopted, as confirmed by Public Information Officer Brian Bruchey of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) in Winter Haven.
The rescue and adoption of this precious baby girl were shared through a heartfelt Facebook post by PCSO, where they revealed the remarkable details of her journey. On January 28th, at around 1:47 in the morning, PCSO deputies in Mulberry discovered the baby wrapped in a blanket, still attached to the placenta. The outdoor temperature was chillingly in the lower 50s. Polk County Fire Rescue personnel examined her and estimated that she had been born about an hour prior to being found.
The rescue of the baby was made possible because of the quick thinking and compassion of a nearby resident who heard the infant’s cries and immediately called 911. This act of kindness set off a chain of events that would forever change the baby’s life.
Although the couple who adopted the child have chosen not to speak with the media at this time, they allowed the police to share photos with all those who had followed the baby’s story and prayed for her well-being.
During a press conference held on January 29, Sheriff Grady Judd provided additional details about the circumstances of the baby’s abandonment. Deputies received a call just after 1:45 a.m. reporting what sounded like a baby crying in a wooded area near a mobile home park in Mulberry. At first, the cries were mistaken for the sounds of cats, but a concerned neighbor eventually identified the cries as those of a baby. She and her husband ventured into the woods and found the infant, wrapped in old blankets, on a hill.
The baby was found in the outdoor temperature of the lower 50s, leading deputies to estimate that she had been born just hours before. At that time, Sheriff Judd named her Angel Grace Lnu, with “Lnu” signifying that her last name was unknown.
Despite exhaustive efforts, including questioning neighbors and utilizing K-9 units, a bloodhound, a drone, and an aviation unit, attempts to locate the baby’s mother proved unsuccessful. Sheriff Judd noted that cases like these are rare in Florida due to the existence of the Safe Haven Law. This law allows parents to safely leave unharmed newborns, no more than a week old, at designated facilities anonymously and without fear of prosecution.
After ten months and one day, the child was officially adopted, bringing a heartwarming conclusion to this extraordinary journey. The Florida Safe Haven Law, designed to prevent newborn abandonment, played a vital role in ensuring the well-being of the baby and giving her a second chance at a loving family. Despite exhaustive efforts, the identity of this precious child’s mother remains unknown, but her future is now secure with her new forever family.
