A deceased infant was found by hospital staff at Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital on Wednesday morning, September 13.
According to a press release issued by the Hobbs Police Department (HPD), officers responded to 4900 North Lovington Highway (Covenant Health Hospital) “…in reference to a deceased baby.”
“A 16-year-old juvenile, accompanied by her mother, was being treated at the hospital,” states the press release. “Hospital staff later discovered a deceased baby in the restroom area of the juvenile’s hospital room.”
The body of the infant has been sent to the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque where an autopsy will be conducted.
As of Thursday afternoon the juvenile had not been charged with a crime, according to a KRQE News 13 report. The Lea County Tribune has learned that the 16-year-old juvenile, accompanied by her mother, was released from the hospital and that before leaving the facility the teenage girl did not tell hospital staff that the baby had been delivered in the bathroom.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call HPD dispatch at (575) 397-9265 or Lea County Crime Stoppers at (575) 393-8005. Messages may also be sent privately to HPD on Facebook. HPD reminds the public that its Facebook page “is not monitored in real time and is not a good avenue to report real-time crimes.” Persons with information may be eligible for a cash reward.
HPD’s Facebook page is overflowing with almost 500 comments about the incident. One word cries are fierce. “Again.”
Others have more to say like Rose Lujan who states, “What is wrong with these young women??!!!! Haven’t they heard of a drop box or dropping it off at the fire station, police station, or even hospital???!!!!! This is so infuriating.” Patty Valera asks, “How does this keep happening!?”
New Mexico has “safe haven” laws which allow for unwanted babies to be left at certain locations. Hobbs has a “baby box” installed at its Fire Station #1 which allows for a contactless and anonymous drop-off. While safe haven laws allow for babies to be dropped off at hospitals, for the safety of the baby they require the baby is left with staff, not just unattended anywhere on the premises.
Not all area residents are aware that Hobbs has a safe haven baby box. Colleen McConnell states, “Does Hobbs have a baby box? Like in other states where you can drop off your newborn with no consequences at all. I know there are some amazing, giving, organizations in Hobbs. Maybe they can fundraise to get one?”
Though abortion is legal in New Mexico, Hobbs and Lea County have passed ordinances intended to prevent locals from having access to abortion. These ordinances are currently in a legal limbo as courts wait to decide their fate, particularly in light of the state’s Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act. It is unclear from the HPD press release whether this was an unwanted pregnancy or some other complication, however. More information is expected as the situation is investigated.
Since May of this year Hobbs Fire Station #1, located at 301 East White Street, houses a baby box. In the words of Hobbs mayor Sam Cobb, “The baby box concept was developed in order for someone to feel like they could take a child, and they’re unsure what to do about it and provide a safe haven for it.”
