BELLE — The parents and grandparents of a newborn infant found on June 15 inside a gray plastic bag at a Maries County residence were in Judge Kerry G. Rowden’s juvenile court at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday morning for an emergency hearing.

“You understand they're (mother’s family) is asking to deny their (father’s family) motion and grant them (mother’s family) temporary custody?” Rowden summarized for the attorneys present.

Both families are petitioning for custody of the infant baby girl who is currently hospitalized and is in state custody.

The hours-old infant was located behind the shed of a Maries County residence on Friday morning inside a plastic bag, believed to be a Walmart bag, according to Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman. The 17-year-old mother of the infant had given birth in the early morning hours and, in what the sheriff has labeled “a severe case of child abuse,” left the infant inside the bag, behind a shed at their residence.

The baby was reported to be in stable condition on Monday morning at an undisclosed children’s hospital. Both families were in court on Tuesday to determine where the baby will go home to when she is released.

Both parties were present for an “emergency order of guardianship.” Rowden said he appointed a Guardian of Light for the infant on Monday, but baby’s attorney was not present because she likely wasn’t aware of the hearing scheduled Tuesday.

“I wasn’t aware a hearing was set for this morning,” Rowden said. “Let’s open with the juvenile case.”
The juvenile case regarding the 17-year-old mother, who was present, was to begin with both sides making an argument for their clients. Rowden said he would make a decision about guardianship after the juvenile case.

At that point, the attorneys requested reporters leave the room. At 9:28 a.m., a private attorney returned to collect an unknown party who was also removed from the courtroom and advised them no (custody) “hearing would take place today.”

Events on Friday began to unfold when a family member located the infant.

An emergency tone to Osage Ambulance District around 11:30 a.m. on June 15 reported an area resident had gone outside to mow their grass and heard a noise they thought was kittens. Instead, they located the Walmart bag with the child inside.

After arriving on scene, the Maries County Sheriff’s deputies determined that a 17-year-old girl recently gave birth and left the infant in a Walmart bag behind the family’s shed where another family member located the child hours later, according to Heitman.

“The child was outside at least four hours, possibly longer,” said Major Scott John, lead on the case.

The temperature around noon on June 15 was 85 degrees according to Columbia, Mo., Weather History.

“It is a girl,” John continued. “She was between four and five pounds. It appeared the child was a preemie, but doctors have not given an official opinion. A doctor will need to make that determination.”

The child was initially transported to Phelps Health in Rolla, but later transported to a larger facility. Once she is released from the hospital, the Division of Family Services will determine a temporary custody arrangement.

When asked if the conception of the child was a result of sexual abuse, John said they had no reason to believe it was.

“We have no reason to believe any sexual abuse was involved at this time,” John said. “Both of the juvenile’s parents were notified — the adult father was notified. This is still an active investigation and has been turned over to the Juvenile Office.”

Heitman said on Monday that the 17-year-old juvenile was released from the hospital.

“The mother was released from the hospital on Friday and returned home,” he said.

While Maries County does not have a Safe Haven Baby Box to drop off newborns, according to Missouri’s Safe Place for Newborns Law, infants may be left with any of the following professionals:

• Law enforcement officer (whether on duty or off duty);

• Firefighter;

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT);

• Hospital staff;

• Maternity home staff;

• Pregnancy center staff;

• A volunteer at a hospital, maternity home or pregnancy center; or,

• Any staff in a health care provider position while off duty at a hospital, maternity home or pregnancy center.

Before dropping a child at any of these locations, the parent(s) should understand that the situation is permanent and the other parent has rights. For more information about Missouri’s Safe Place for Newborns Law, contact the Children’s Division free at 1-800-392-3738.

“It’s a no questions asked law,” John said on Monday.

Missouri State Technical Assistance Team (STAT) is assisting with the investigation.