An infant is in good condition after being born on a Hilo sidewalk, police say

A houseless woman is being investigated for child abandonment after reportedly walking away from a baby she had given birth to on a downtown Hilo sidewalk.

Hawai‘i Island police and Hawai‘i Fire emergency responders received a call at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday that a 41-year-old woman, who had just given birth near Mamo and Keawe Streets was dragging a newborn, which was still attached by the umbilical cord.

Responding medics found the woman and the infant.

“Medics cut the cord and immediately began providing medical attention to the infant female, who was breathing, however, was not moving,” according to a Hawai‘i Island police press release Thursday afternoon. “The baby was then transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room.”

After the child and mother were separated, police say the woman began to leave the area. However, she was immediately located by police and taken into custody for abandonment of a child, and also transported to the hospital for treatment.

According to the press release, the newborn received pediatric care and doctors determined she was in good condition. She was later transferred to the custody of Child Welfare Services.

The mother was released from police custody pending further investigation as she was admitted to the hospital for further treatment and observation.

Upon completion of this investigation, the appropriate charges will be routed to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, for review and final disposition.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact the department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311, or Detective Patrick Aurello of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at 808-961-8810, or via email at patrick.aurello@hawaiicounty.gov.