LODI, CA – A tragic discovery unfolded in Lodi as police apprehended a woman charged with abandoning a newborn infant found lifeless on a local street. The unsettling incident has sent ripples through the community, prompting discussions about available support systems for individuals in crisis.
The Lodi Police Department received an urgent call around 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, reporting the grim finding of an infant. Officers arrived swiftly, but the newborn was pronounced dead upon their arrival. The investigation led authorities to 29-year-old Kathryn Grace Copeland, a Lodi resident, who now faces charges related to the abandonment of the infant.
Collaboration between the Lodi Police Department and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office was pivotal in pressing charges against Copeland. In a statement, the police highlighted the emotional toll such incidents can take on the community and first responders, urging residents to seek support from local organizations.
Eyewitness accounts paint a somber picture of the discovery. A bystander behind a mechanic shop reportedly found the baby, with an employee on break stumbling upon the tragic scene. “I wanted to cry,” said Silvia Gonzales, describing the heart-wrenching moment to a local media outlet.
In response, Lodi Fire Battalion Chief Michael Alegre emphasized the importance of the Safe Surrender program, which allows individuals to relinquish custody of an infant safely and legally. He explained that this system provides anonymity and protection from prosecution if the child is surrendered within 72 hours of birth.
Chief Alegre detailed the process, noting that a bracelet with a serial number is given to both the child and the mother, allowing parents 14 days to reconsider their decision. “Please bring them to a safe surrender site and you can walk away, free and clear,” he urged, stressing the program’s benefits.
California’s Safely Surrendered Baby Program, in place since 2001, offers a lifeline for parents or custodians in distress, allowing them to surrender a newborn confidentially at designated locations like hospitals and fire stations.