A 29-year-old woman from Lodi, California has been charged after her newborn baby was found dead on a street.
Kathryn Grace Copeland was arrested following an investigation by the Lodi Police Department, which responded to the scene after receiving a call about the infant on Thursday, September 26. The child was found at around 11:40 a.m. near a mechanic shop at the intersection of Tokay and Sacramento streets.
When police and medical personnel arrived, they pronounced the baby dead at the scene. Copeland has been charged with the abandonment of the newborn, according to police, who worked closely with the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office on the case. Authorities have not yet released details on the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death or Copeland’s motive.
The discovery has deeply affected the local community. In a Facebook post, the Lodi Police Department acknowledged the emotional toll of such a tragedy, stating, “An incident like this can be difficult and evoke a wide range of emotions. Not only does it affect our community but also our first responders.” The department also reminded residents that there are several organizations available to help individuals in crisis, highlighting resources for those who may be unable to care for a newborn.
Silvia Gonzales, a witness at the scene, recounted how an employee at a nearby business discovered the infant during a break. “[When the employee] tried to sit down on the floor, [they] turned around and [saw] the baby,” she said. “I wanted to cry. When I [saw the baby], I just tried to see if it was moving or not, but I don’t see [anything].”
Following the incident, local authorities emphasized that this tragedy might have been prevented through California’s Safe Surrender Law. Established in 2001, the law allows parents to confidentially surrender their newborns at designated safe surrender sites, such as hospitals and fire stations, within 72 hours of birth without fear of prosecution.
Lodi Fire Battalion Chief Michael Alegre spoke about the system in place, explaining, “We give them a bracelet for the child and the mother. A serial number, if you will. They have 14 days to reclaim the child if they want it.” He urged parents in distress to “bring them to a safe surrender site and you can walk away, free and clear.”
This system exists to provide a safe alternative for parents who feel they are unable to care for their child, with the goal of preventing tragedies like the one that unfolded in Lodi. “There’s always hope. There’s always resources. There’s always help,” said Jake McGregor, executive director of One-Eighty, a nonprofit offering care for at-risk youth and adults in Lodi. McGregor added that while his organization may not always be able to assist directly, they can connect individuals with the right resources.
The Lodi case comes as another incident involving an abandoned newborn has resurfaced in Texas. Shelby Stotts, 48, was charged with second-degree manslaughter more than 20 years after her newborn, known as “Angel Baby Doe,” was found dead on the side of a road near Fort Worth, Texas. Authorities said Stotts abandoned the baby in November 2001 without seeking medical care or clamping the umbilical cord, which led to the child’s death.
The Texas case was solved with the help of DNA technology from Othram, a forensic lab specializing in cold cases. Stotts was identified through familial connections traced by a genealogy team, leading to her arrest 22 years after the incident. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton noted, “After more than twenty years, we are closer to securing justice for Angel Baby Doe” justice for Angel Baby Doe. The case underscores the importance of safe surrender laws in preventing similar tragedies.
Authorities in both Lodi and Texas are using these tragedies to remind the public of the resources available to parents who may be overwhelmed or unable to care for a newborn. Safe surrender laws exist in most states to protect both the child and the parents, providing a secure option for those in need.
These incidents have reignited conversations about the importance of awareness around safe surrender laws. Local nonprofits, like One-Eighty, continue to work with the community to ensure that parents in need know where to turn for help before it’s too late.