After a woman named Alicia Englert gave birth, she abandoned her newborn baby by putting the infant in a neighbor’s trashcan. When the Utah woman’s neighbors realized they had discovered the child, they frantically called 911 with an urgent message: “There’s a baby in our garbage can!”
The family told the 911 operator that the baby appeared to be a newborn who was still breathing and who had an umbilical cord still attached.
A news report issued yesterday provides an update on the baby who was almost a victim of infanticide. Thankfully, the newborn has no brain damage, but doctors are worried about future physical problems because of the ordeal the baby experienced.
Court documents reveal that, due to 36 hours without food or care, it was initially unclear whether the baby would survive. Doctors at Pioneer Valley Hospital said the baby was in severely critical condition with a very low core body temperature, was covered in feces, and exhibited depressed responsiveness, according to investigators.
Due to the seriousness of her condition, the infant was transported to Primary Children’s Medical Center. Doctors indicated that the infant was suffering from hypothermia, severe respiratory distress, a bleeding disorder, blood-borne infection, and cardiovascular insufficiency requiring mechanical ventilation.
Doctors were able to stabilize the baby’s condition and she was discharged from the hospital after several days. Although the baby shows no signs of brain damage, she will be at increased risk for developmental problems, according to the doctors.
Before criminal proceedings can continue, Englert was ordered to undergo a mental health competency review, as her defense attorneys claim she suffers from limited mental functioning, including a lack of appreciation and understanding of her actions, according to court documents.
According to Englert’s attorneys, Zachary Weyher and Melissa Fulkerson, Alicia “was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome at birth and mental retardation.”Click here to sign up for daily pro-life news alerts from LifeNews.com
Englert’s attorneys said that both Englert and her family are grateful that the infant is healthy and being cared for in a loving home.
Previously, LifeNews reported on the 911 call.
“There’s a baby in our garbage can!” the woman cried in the 911 audio, released Tuesday by the Unified Police Department. “I don’t know how to get it out! Neither one of us are tall enough and if I tip it the trash is going to tip over on top [of her],” she explained.
The woman in question was arrested and is now facing attempted murder charges. Officials say she placed the baby int he trash can without providing the infant any care medical support or food.
Authorities indicate the woman told them she was afraid to tell her parents, who whom she lived, about the pregnancy and “she said she discarded the baby in hopes it would die and solve her problems.”
