AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department (APD) confirmed a baby was found in a dumpster at an apartment complex in North Austin over the weekend.

As reported by APD Watch Command, a baby was discovered in a dumpster located in the 8600 block of North Lamar Boulevard. The APD noted that the initial report was received around 1:35 p.m. on Saturday.

The baby is alive, safe, and seems healthy, showing no signs of distress, according to APD. Nonetheless, she was taken to Dell Children’s Hospital as a precautionary measure.

Perry Lewis is a resident at the apartment complex, who was preparing to leave when he said his neighbor heard a cry from the dumpster.

“He said it might be a baby,” Lewis said. “So we ran over there, and it took us a couple of seconds.”

Lewis looked in the dumpster, where he said he discovered a baby girl covered in trash, filth and dirt. 

“She was covered in blood. Well, her head was at least,” Lewis said. “She had her umbilical cord still attached.”

Lerrssy Frausto recounted that she retrieved the baby from the dumpster and began performing chest compressions on the infant. They subsequently contacted first responders for assistance. 

“Seeing her in the trash, positioned head down and upside down, really affected me. Trying to open her eye and failing broke my heart,” Frausto stated. “Her other eye rolled back, and I just kept pleading, ‘Please stay with me.’

APD Officer Aaron Townsend confirmed that the child was transported to Dell Children’s. In an update given on Monday, APD informed that she is improving but is still in the hospital for evaluation. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that she is healthy and is expected to be discharged soon.

“Detectives are on scene doing the best work that they can to try to track down the mother and whoever else might be responsible,” Townsend said. 

For now, Frausto’s biggest hope is that the child finds “someone that loves her, that truly loves her, truly wants to be a parent to her.” 

Frausto shared that she had already named the baby “Miracle Angel,” attributing the baby’s survival to her strong will to live.

“She’s a miracle from God and an angel from the skies,” Frausto said. “She was crying in the trash can. That’s how they heard her cry, so she saved herself before anybody could save her.”

Police say they don’t have a timeframe of how long the baby may have been in the dumpster, and they suspect the baby will stay in the hospital until accommodations are made for someone to take care of her. DPS said once a baby is surrendered and medically examined, they are placed in foster care.

As of Monday, the investigation is open and ongoing, and no charges have been filed. Anyone with any information can call APD’s Child Abuse Unit at 512-974-6880. Tips can also be submitted anonymously at austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477.