Mother arrested after abandoned baby found dead on street in California

A woman in California was arrested and charged after police said her newborn child was found alone on the street.

Lodi police wrote in a post on Facebook that police were dispatched on Thursday, September 26, after receiving a call around 11:40 a.m. about a toddler found in the Lodi area. Police said “numerous patrol and investigative units” found the infant, who was “pronounced dead.”

Police added that their preliminary investigation revealed that 29-year-old Lodi resident Kathryn Grace Copeland “abandoned the deceased newborn.”

Copeland “was ultimately arrested” and charged with “abandonment of deceased newborn,” said police, who worked closely with the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office on the charges.

“An incident like this can be difficult and bring up a wide range of emotions,” Lodi police said in their post. “It not only affects our community, but also our first responders, including our officers, dispatchers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel.”

“Please remember that multiple organizations and resources are available to assist those in need,” the department added.

A passerby told CBS News the toddler was found behind a mechanic's shop.

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Another witness told KCRA-TV that a staff member found the child during break.

“[When the employee] tried to sit on the floor, [they] turned around and [saw] the baby,” Silvia Gonzales said, according to KCRA-TV. “I wanted to cry. If I [saw the baby]I just tried to see if it moves or not but I don't see anything [anything].”

Following the news, Lodi Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Alegre reminded California residents that there is a safe handoff system in place for people unable to care for an infant.

“We give them a bracelet for the child and the mother. A serial number, if you will,” he told CBS News. “They have 14 days to reclaim the child if they want.”

“Please take them to a safe handover location and you can walk away free and unmolested,” he added.

According to California's Safely Surrendered Baby Program, “a parent or person with legal custody may safely surrender a baby within 72 hours of birth confidentially and without fear of prosecution.”

Under the law, created in 2001, people can drop off the baby at a “public or private hospital, designated fire station or other safe drop-off location.”