Newborn Found in Houston Apartment Complex Dumpster Alive, Umbilical Cord Still Attached

Houston authorities found a newborn baby left alive in a trash dumpster on Tuesday morning.

Houston Police Department spokesperson Kese Smith told the Houston Chronicle that the child was found at about 8:30 a.m. in an apartment building located in the city's southeast region.

The baby boy, whose umbilical cord was still attached to its body, was alive and breathing when maintenance worker Carlos Michel first found him in The Reserve housing complex.

Michel told the Houston Chronicle that he first realized something was afoot when he heard a noise that strangely resembled a cat's meow. When he threw some trash into the dumpster, the sound grew louder, and he stopped to search the bin.

Michel then discovered the baby boy inside a bag with containers for food and scraps of the leftover meal. The child's umbilical cord - about four inches long - hung from the baby's stomach.

There was also what appeared to be a piece of paper with a homework assignment on it. Written on the face was what looked like a student's name, the Chronicle reported.

Michel expressed to the Chronicle how serious of a matter this finding was. The maintenance man, who says he is a grandfather to a young child, said how upset he was on Monday afternoon.

"It made a big impact," he stated.

Officer Darrell Marshall with the Houston police said a probe has been opened into the discovery. Law enforcement officials tasked with the investigation are currently trying to find the newborn's mother.

According to Estella Olguin, who works with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services as a spokesperson, the agency is also looking into the child's case.

Resident James Hayes told the Chronicle that he was shocked when he heard of the find. He'd come to the apartment complex to visit his mother, where she has lived for a few months. He said the housing units are usually quiet, with responsible tenants.

"It's crazy," he stated simply.

According to state law, parents can leave unwanted children up to 60 days old and in fine health at medical facilities, ambulance stations or fire stations with no legal repercussions.