Woman allegedly gives newborn away at Walmart

Authorities are continuing to investigate the mysterious details surrounding a baby allegedly being given away at a Colorado Walmart.

According to a statement from the West Metro Fire Rescue, a middle-aged couple dropped a newborn off at the fire station in Lakewood on January 27.

The couple told authorities that a woman handed them the baby in the shopping center’s parking lot, telling them that she didn’t want it anymore, according to the news release.

When the baby arrived at the fire station, she was still covered in amniotic fluids, CNN affiliate KMGH reports.

“The child didn’t look like it had been completely cleaned off,” firefighter Cody Beinlich told the affiliate. “It just had the appearance of a baby that had just been born very recently.”

Fire officials say the newborn appears to be well-cared for and in good condition, but was transferred to an area hospital for medical care.

Investigators are following up on the couple’s story, according to KMGH.

According to the Lakewood Police Department, detectives are still trying to confirm if it was a relative who dropped the baby off at the fire station. If so, no further questions will be asked, authorities say.

In Colorado, parents are allowed to relinquish a baby to a hospital or fire station within 72 hours after birth without facing criminal charges, according to the Colorado Safe Haven for Newborns law.

However, if the newborn’s mother actually handed the child over to strangers, she could face up to 26 years in prison, according to Colorado criminal law.

Sourced from hlntv.com