Fullerton Woman Charged with Abandoning Newborn

Police lights by night

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FULLERTON (CNS) - A 25-year-old Fullerton woman was charged Tuesday with abandoning her infant son in a gas station trash can.

Vanissa Maldonado was charged with attempted murder and child abuse and endangerment, both felonies.

Her infant was hospitalized last week in critical but stable condition, Fullerton police Sgt. Ryan O'Neil said.

Police were called to the gas station in the 900 block of Orangethorpe Avenue about 3:30 p.m. Thursday regarding the newborn in a restroom trash can, O'Neil said. The officers worked to revive the infant and called paramedics, who rushed the baby to a hospital.

Police reviewed surveillance footage and used suspect vehicle information that led them to Maldonado, who was arrested about 1:45 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of West Orangethorpe, O'Neil said.

The state has a law that allows a parent to give up an infant within 72 hours with no questions asked if the infant is taken to a public or private hospital or a fire station.


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