In a heartbreaking scene that has stunned the community, a newborn baby was abandoned Saturday morning at a Dari Mart on M Street in Springfield—just half a mile from McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center.
Yes, you read that right. Someone left a helpless infant at a convenience store instead of walking five more minutes to a hospital where the baby could have been legally and safely surrendered.
Springfield Police said the infant was discovered and immediately taken to a local hospital by officers. Thankfully, she was medically evaluated, admitted to the nursery, and is expected to be okay. But the community’s reaction has been anything but calm.
“It’s pretty messed up that someone would do that to a baby, cause they can’t really do anything by themselves,” said Izyah Fotta, a local resident who spoke with KEZI. “And I think they should probably go to jail or face something in the court or something like that.”
And that’s exactly what happened. Police say they have located and arrested those responsible for abandoning the child. Under Oregon law, this isn’t just a lapse in judgment—it’s a Class C felony to abandon a child under the age of 15 outside the bounds of the state’s Safe Haven Law.
Oregon’s Safe Haven Law exists for a reason. It provides a completely legal and anonymous way for parents in crisis to surrender infants 60 days or younger—with no criminal charges, no questions asked. But here’s the catch: the baby must be handed to a staff member at an authorized facility like a hospital, birthing center, doctor’s office, police station, or fire department. A convenience store doesn’t make the list.
Jake Sunderland, Press Secretary for the Oregon Department of Human Services, explained what happens next: “The moment the infant is left at the facility, ODHS has protective custody and the infant is entered into foster care. Like any child that enters foster care, ODHS first seeks to safely place the infant with family members… If this is not possible, the infant will be placed in a general resource home until a permanent home can be found.”
The fact that someone would leave a newborn like discarded trash—just blocks from help—is as infuriating as it is heartbreaking. While we’re grateful this baby girl is safe for now, it raises a troubling question:
How many others out there don’t make it to safety?
This is your reminder, Oregon: If you or someone you know is overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to turn—there are legal, humane, and safe options. The system isn’t perfect, but it’s far better than leaving a baby behind at a gas station.
Stay informed. Stay compassionate. And above all, protect the most vulnerable among us.
For full details, visit KEZI’s original reporting.
