PHOENIX, Ariz. (WFLA) A welfare check at an Arizona home turned into a rescue after police said they found a mother dead and her newborn child “barely clinging to life.”
Officers were called to the Phoenix home on May 14 after concerned neighbors contacted 911 to report they hadn’t seen or heard from the mother and her newborn in several days.
Body cam video released by the Phoenix Police Department showed officers trying to see if anyone was inside the home. They went to a window where they could see the baby lying on a bed.
“The baby’s here, the baby’s still alive,” one officer said.
Officers then busted through the door to get to the child. Police said the baby was severely dehydrated and emaciated.
The child’s mother was found dead inside the home. Authorities did not provide any information on how she may have died.
Officers rushed the baby out of the home, where medics with Phoenix Fire were waiting to help.
“Mom’s dead. Baby’s probably been in there by itself for at least a week,” an officer said as he handed the child over to EMS.
The newborn was taken to a hospital in critical condition, but police said the baby’s condition has since improved.
“We are happy to report, the infant’s condition has improved greatly, and they’re expected to survive,” police wrote in a June 26 social media post.
