Family Forum / Parenting / Adoption / April 2007

Geez, another one.  Tried to post this yesterday, but Google was not
being my friend.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_5731628

S.F. woman gives birth on sidewalk and abandons baby
Bay City News Service
Article Launched: 04/23/2007 05:58:55 AM PDT

A San Francisco woman gave birth to a baby boy on the sidewalk Sunday
night then walked away, pretending that it never happened, said San
Francisco police Capt. Al Casciato.
Casciato said someone called 911 after the woman was seen birthing her
baby on Fifth and Stevenson streets, at around 9:34 p.m.

When an ambulance arrived, a five-pound 12-ounce baby boy was found
alive, but his mother was nowhere to be found, said Casciato.

In a scenario reminiscent of a March 9 birth that occurred on an
Oakland sidewalk, Casciato said a woman believed to be the baby's
mother was spotted about a block and a half away, covered in blood.

According to Casciato, the woman, who was unable to give her name,
denied giving birth.

She was taken to the hospital in police custody, where she exhibited
psychotic behavior and needed to be restrained, Casciato said.

Police have not been able to positively identify the woman, who is
thought to be homeless and around 35 years old. Casciato said the
woman maybe named Nadine Matthews, but police have not yet been able
to confirm this information.

Of the sidewalk birth, Casciato said it was probably "the best thing
that could have happened to that child."

He said the baby is in good condition at an area hospital and is in
the custody of Child Protective Services.

The woman remains hospitalized and faces charges of child endangerment.