UPDATE: The mother of the baby found in a dumpster in Boca Raton Wednesday was booked into jail Thursday evening, according to multiple sheriff's office deputies.
The suspect, Rafaelle Alessandra Carbalho Sousa, faces charges of attempted felony murder and child abuse. PBSO detectives said Sousa admitted to delivering the baby, placing the infant girl in a bag and throwing her in the dumpster.
Her first court appearance is Friday morning.
Our Detectives have arrested Mother of Abondonend Baby – Charges: Attempted Felony Murder and Child. After being interviewed by detectives Rafaelle admitted to delivering the baby, placing her in a bag and throwing her in the dumpster. pic.twitter.com/H5HhgMpu5Y
— PBSO (@PBCountySheriff) May 10, 2019
EARLIER STORY:
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says a newborn baby girl found alive in dumpster in suburban Boca Raton on Wednesday was likely born the same day, and her umbilical cord was still attached.
A PBSO spokesperson says the child is 6 pounds, 8 ounces, and is either African-American or Hispanic, and is doing well at only one day old. A lieutenant with the Sheriff's Office says the baby is "cute as a button."
The Department of Children and Families has launched an investigation, and says the child is safe in the agency's care.
The baby’s ethnicity is either Black or Hispanic. She weighs 6 lbs. and 8 ounces and according to our Lieutenant, “cute as a button”! Detectives are still actively seeking any information that anyone may have in relation to this case. If you know anything, please come forward. https://t.co/L1R3XfvDKp
— PBSO (@PBCountySheriff) May 9, 2019
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, two people were walking in an apartment complex near Boca Entrada Blvd. around 9 a.m. Wednesday, and heard what sounded like a baby crying.
That's when they found a newborn baby girl alive in a dumpster. The child was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive.
CHOPPER 5 VIDEO OF DUMPSTER:
If you know who abandoned the baby, call Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 1-800-458-TIPS.
All Palm Beach County Fire Rescue staffed stations are a "Safe Haven" for newborn locations.
That means a newborn child, from birth to seven days old, can be turned over anonymously to fire rescue personnel at any Palm Beach County Fire Rescue station.
Fire Rescue will transport the child to the nearest hospital for medical care. Since the program’s inception in 2000, 18 newborns have been turned over in Palm Beach County.
For more information about the "Safe Haven" program, CLICK HERE.
