7-year-old boy spotted abandoned baby

Newborn OK after being left outside apartment

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 7-year-old boy is the one who spotted an abandoned baby at a Fort Caroline apartment complex Wednesday evening, and from his perspective, it looked like something out of a horror movie.

His mother, Cristessa Myers, knew immediately something was wrong.

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"It was not wrapped, the baby was exposed, and it was shaking because, you know, it was cold and the umbilical cord was still attached," Myers said.

According to Jacksonville police, someone deserted the newborn on Wednesday. That same day, Myers had planned to take her two boys to the playground but got the feeling she needed to go home instead.

"Something was drawing me to go home, because normally I would not say 'no' for the kids to go to the park," Myers said.

Myers immediately called for help. She felt scared because the baby initially made no noise.

"When I heard that first cry, it was a relief," she said. "And I seen the paramedics, too. It was a relief to all of us the baby was crying."

Myers said she wonders why someone would abandon the baby. Just a few miles away from the apartment, there's a fire station that serves as a Safe Haven for newborns.

"If the baby is 7 days or younger, you can drop it off at a hospital or medical service provider or a fire station with no recourse," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Melissa Bujeda said.

Police point out that no matter the circumstance, there's no reason for a parent to put a baby at risk.

Investigators are thankful Myers alerted the paramedics.

"I only wish I could see the baby, too, now that she's doing well," Myers said.

According to police, the baby is safe and healthy.

Anyone with any information about the baby being abandoned is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.