Fullerton Woman Charged with Abandoning Newborn in Gas Station Trash Can
FULLERTON, Calif.—A 25-year-old Fullerton woman was charged March 14 with abandoning her infant son in a gas station trash can.
Vanissa Maldonado was charged with attempted murder and child abuse and endangerment, both felonies.
Her infant was hospitalized last week in critical but stable condition, Fullerton police Sgt. Ryan O’Neil said.
Police were called to the gas station in the 900 block of Orangethorpe Avenue about 3:30 p.m. March 9 regarding the newborn in a restroom trash can, O’Neil said. The officers worked to revive the infant and called paramedics, who rushed the baby to a hospital.
Police reviewed surveillance footage and used suspect vehicle information that led them to Maldonado, who was arrested about 1:45 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of West Orangethorpe, O’Neil said.
The state has a law that allows a parent or a legal guardian to give up an infant within 72 hours with no questions asked if the infant is taken to a public or private hospital or a fire station.
