Detectives are still seeking any information regarding a newborn baby that was found abandoned at a rest area along Interstate 75 just two days before Christmas in 2017.
At approximately 3:14 a.m. on Saturday Dec. 23, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a rest area located at 11400 SW Southbound I-75 in reference to an abandoned newborn baby boy. The infant was transported to a local hospital then released to the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
MCSO Major Crimes detectives are seeking information on the abandonment of this newborn baby boy and are asking if anyone has any information about this case, to please call Detective Billy Burleson at (352) 368-3542. If you wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP. Tips can also be submitted at www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. For Crime Stoppers, reference 17-145 in your tip.
A “Safe Haven” law was enacted in Florida to eliminate the tragedies resulting in the abandonment of newborn babies. This law allows parents to leave their unharmed newborn babies, who are not more than one week old, with an employee at any hospital, emergency medical services station or with a fire fighter at any fire station in Florid