No charges filed against woman who abandoned her baby

No charges filed against woman who abandoned her baby

SHARON, Pa. — Sharon police have decided not to charge a 20-year-old Sharon woman who left her newborn daughter on the steps of a Irvine Avenue duplex earlier this month.

At a press conference today, Mercer County District Attorney James Epstein and Sharon Police Chief Mike Menster said the woman appeared to have taken care of the child after giving birth alone in her home and took steps to ensure the baby was found quickly.

According to a release by police, the woman concealed her pregnancy from family and friends before she gave birth at 7 a.m. Oct. 3 alone in her apartment. Police said she severed the umbilical cord, cleaned and breast-fed the infant girl.

At about 5 p.m. that same day the woman had scheduled her own mother to visit.

Menster said the 20-year-old woman watched as her mother approached the front door and then placed the infant on the steps leading up to her apartment where it was certain to be found. The child was only alone for 15 to 20 seconds, he said.

The woman discovered the baby and called 911.

For the complete story, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.