Baby found alive in dumpster near hotel Tuesday evening in Columbus, police say
A baby was found alive in a dumpster Tuesday evening in Columbus, according to the Columbus Police Department
There was a prominent police presence Tuesday night at the Budgetel Inn & Suites on Victory Drive as a result of this incident..
CPD public information officer Brittany Santiago said the newborn boy was found around 6:30 p.m. and was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional, where he was in the neonatal intensive care unit Wednesday morning.
In a news release Wednesday, the Columbus Police Department emphasized that Georgia law allows for people to surrender babies up to 30 days old safely and anonymously. The Safe Place for Newborns Act allows a parent to leave their baby with staff at a hospital, police station or fire station with no identification required and no criminal charges, police said.
“A dumpster is not a safe haven,” police said in the news release. “This law exists to prevent tragedies like this and to protect both infants and parents in crisis.”
Police said they were working with Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services to ensure the child’s safety and determine what’s next for his care.
This story is ongoing and will be updated as new information becomes available.
This story was originally published September 2, 2025 at 10:46 PM.