An Arizona teen faces criminal charges after police said she threw her newborn baby out a bathroom window.
Maricopa County sheriff's deputies responded to a call about an injured teen on Tuesday night. When they arrived at a family's home, they discovered a 16-year-old who was bleeding profusely after giving birth. But disturbingly, they did not see a baby.
After searching for a half hour, deputies found the newborn in a backyard shed, according to KPHO. Investigators said they determined that the mother allegedly threw the baby out a bathroom window in an attempt to hide her pregnancy. The child fell five feet and hit its head on a brick, and was rushed to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The mother faces child abuse and attempted homicide charges. The child is expected to live, and was taken in by Child Protective Services.
Arizona's safe haven law protects abandoned babies. Under the law, unwanted newborns up to 3 days old can be left with on duty staff member at any hospital, emergency medical service provider, fire station or with any licensed private child welfare agency, licensed adoption agency or any church in the state.
In August, a Kentucky mother was arrested after allegedly leaving her child in the bathroom trash at the department store where she worked. The mother now faces murder charges. In a police interview, the woman told investigators that she thought she had miscarried.