One-day-old baby found dead in home after medics noticed birthing injuries after mom in hospital

A one-day-old baby was found dead at home after a hospital staff spotted sign of birth when she presented in hospital.

Police, who have launched a murder probe, say a woman in her early 20s appeared to have recently given birth after arriving at a arrived at a Woodland Hills hospital in Los Angeles just before 6 p.m. Police went to the woman's home following calls from hospital staff, where they found the newborn baby dead in a property around Burbank Boulevard and Woodlake Avenue.

The infant was believed to be a day old. While a homicide investigation has been launched, police have not said if the mother will be arrested or face any charges. Neighbors said they did not know too much about the residents in the property, while many questioned why the baby wasn't safely surrendered.

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Under California's Safety Surrendered Baby law, parents or legal guardians can legally and safely surrender their infant at any hospital or designated fire station within 72 hours of birth, without any questions asked. Since the program was launched in L.A. County, more than 250 infants have been safely surrendered, reports, abc7 eyewitness news.

The Safely Surrendered Baby law requires the baby be taken to a public or private hospital, designated fire station or other safe surrender site, as determined by the local County Board of Supervisors. No questions will be asked and California Penal Code Section 271.5 protects surrendering individuals from prosecution of abandonment.

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At the time of surrender, a bracelet is placed on the baby for identification purposes and a matching bracelet provided to the parent or lawful guardian, in case the baby is reclaimed. A parent or person with lawful custody has up to 14 days from the time of surrender to reclaim their baby.

A medical questionnaire must be offered, however it is a voluntary document and can be declined. The questionnaire is offered solely for the purpose of collecting medical information critical to the health and survival of the infant. All identifying information that pertains to a parent or individual who surrenders a child is strictly confidential.