Stark County Children and Family Services gets temporary custody of infant left on fire station lawn

EAST SPARTA, Ohio - Stark County Children and Family Services has been granted temporary custody of an infant left on the East Sparta Fire Station lawn.

The baby, who was left in a white basket on the grass Monday morning, remains at Aultman Hospital for observation. Authorities say the little girl appears to be healthy.

SCCFS has moved to terminate parent's rights so the child can be adopted. The move will take 90 days.

Police are still trying to identify the baby, but said it didn't appear she was delivered at a hospital.

Charges are possible against the baby's parent(s) because Ohio's Safe Haven law wasn't properly followed.

The law allows a parent to leave a newborn infant, up to 30 days old, with a medical worker at a hospital, with a medical worker at a fire department or with a peace officer at a law enforcement agency, without any legal consequences.

Ohio's Safe Haven law doesn't allow babies to be dropped off outside.

If you have information about the baby or who dropped her off, you can call (330) 866-9434.