On September 21, 2019, at approximately 8:15 AM, a newborn baby boy was discovered inside a black suitcase near a trash compactor at the Monterra Pointe Apartments in Arlington, Texas. A resident who was taking out their trash heard the infant's cries and alerted the authorities, a discovery that likely saved the baby's life. The maintenance staff at the apartment complex, who would typically have compacted the trash earlier in the morning, were running late for work that day.
Had the resident not found him, it is unlikely the baby would have survived.
The infant, who was alive and still had his umbilical cord attached, was transported to Medical City Arlington for care. Doctors determined that he was born approximately four to six weeks premature and was only about two hours old when he was found. The baby, a Black male weighing 4 pounds and 12 ounces, was initially cold and had low oxygen levels but was otherwise responsive and healthy. Inside the suitcase with the infant were a leopard print blanket and a dark pink pashmina scarf.
Arlington police launched an investigation to find the infant's parents, releasing images of the suitcase and the items found with the baby to the public in the hopes of generating leads. Law enforcement officials gave the baby the unofficial name of Jason, and several officers, including one of the first responders to the scene, expressed interest in adopting him. The case brought attention to Texas' Baby Moses Law, which allows parents to safely and anonymously surrender an infant under 60 days old at a designated safe place with no questions asked.Last Seen: Sep 21, 2019
