by Nick Delgado

A newborn baby is in much better hands today than the day she was born. She is now in the care of the nurses at the Guam Memorial Hospital's pediatric ward in stable condition. The infant, who police have named Baby Hope, will likely be placed in the foster care system while authorities try to locate the child's parents.

The baby girl, just a few hours old, was left abandoned at a residence at the Dai Ichi Condominiums in Tamuning on Monday morning. Police are still trying to locate the individuals who left the baby on a bench, unclothed and crying. Child Protective Services Social Services Supervisor II Joe Diaz says the agency's first concern is the safety of the baby and ensuring she's healthy.

He said, "We're encouraging anyone in the community if they're not able to take care of their child that there are services available. There's Child Protective Services; you can always come in and say 'I'm pregnant, I'm not able to care for the child, I have nothing to offer the child', then we can offer services. Abandoning the child like that, it's a high risk, we're just lucky that the child is ok."

CPS has started its investigation in coordination with the Guam Police Department. Anyone with information should call GPD at 472-8911 or Guam Crimestoppers at 477-HELP (4357).