Three people arrested after infant found abandoned in Savannah trash can

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – A newborn baby was found alive in a trash can near the Quality Inn in the 7100 block of Abercorn Street early Saturday morning, according to Savannah police.

Three people now face charges.

What happened

Chatham EMS Director Chuck Kearns said crews initially responded to a call about a patient suffering from hemorrhage. At the hospital, the EMS team realized the patient had given birth. They alerted the police, who searched the hotel and found the baby alive.

SPD responded around 2:45 a.m. Oct. 10 to a report of an abandoned child in the 7100 block of Abercorn Street.

After an initial investigation, Sgt. Howard Crosby and the Ofc. Richard Taylor of the Southside Precinct discovered the baby in a nearby trash can.

The child received immediate medical attention. The baby is now in the custody of the Department of Human Services’ Division of Family and Children Services, known as DFCS.

SPD thanked medical personnel from Memorial Health, Chatham EMS and Savannah Fire for their assistance in quickly and safely locating the child.

Charges filed

Dominique Welcome, 29, Chiquita Roche, 39, and Jamal West, 44, were arrested and face charges in connection with this case.

The home is accused of child cruelty. Roche is accused of participating in a crime and willfully obstructing law enforcement through the use of threats or violence. West is charged with child cruelty.

Chatham County Jail records show Roche was arrested on scene at the hotel, West was arrested on scene at the hotel and Welcome was arrested at Memorial Hospital.

Shelter Act

SPD reminded the public that under Georgia’s Safe Places for Newborns Act, state law provides criminal immunity to a mother who leaves her baby, if the baby is not more than 30 days old, with a staff member or volunteer of a licensed medical facility, fire station or police station.

Examples include Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital in Savannah and the Savannah Fire Department. Facilities designated “Safe Place” are marked with signage.

Michael Bossak, vice president of Savannah Children’s Hospital, said the hospital provides a safe space for children of all ages, including newborns.

“I think as a pediatrician and vice president of Children’s Hospital, I think it’s important. We’re a safe space for children of all ages, including the youngest, so being able to be in a place where mothers can come without guilt to be able to drop off a child and say, look, I’m not capable of doing this, but I want this baby to survive and have the best life possible is an important part of what we do here at Children’s Hospital,” Bossak said.

More information is available here.