13-year-old mother of newborn baby found in Merced dumpster has been located

FRESNO, Calif. -- Authorities say they have located the mother of a newborn baby girl who was found in a Merced dumpster on Thursday.

Merced police have only identified the mom as a 13-year-old. After the teenager was found with the public's help, police say she was medically treated, and it was confirmed that she did in fact recently give birth. They say she has also admitted to detectives that she is the mother of the abandoned child.

Investigators are still speaking with the teen regarding her pregnancy and the details surrounding the birth. She was taken into the county's care and will be turned over to Child Protective Services for her own protection.

The newborn baby girl was found at the Sunnyside Apartments on D Street near 9th Street on Thursday morning. Police say a recycler was retrieving recyclables from a dumpster, when he heard something moving around. After looking around, he found the baby girl with a towel around her.

Police say the baby is doing well and is being cared for at an area hospital.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Merced Police Department at (209) 385-4725.

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