Newborn baby found inside restroom trash can at Fullerton gas station

FULLERTON, Calif. - A newborn baby was found inside a restroom trash can at a gas station in Fullerton. 

Fire officials say they found the 1-hour-old baby crying around 3:30 p.m. at a gas station in the 900 block of W. Orangethorpe Ave.

UPDATE: 25-year-old arrested for attempted murder after newborn found in restroom trash can in Fullerton

The baby was transported to Children's Hospital of Orange County.

Sergeant Ryan O'Neil from the Fullerton Police Department spoke about the incident Thursday evening.

"The call for service was a possible newborn child in the bathroom trash can. Upon arrival, officers located a newborn child in the trash can and immediately began life-saving measures. Fullerton Fire responded very shortly after and transported the child to a local hospital for further medical care," said O'Neil.

The baby is in critical, but stable condition, according to O'Neil. The gas station clerk was the person who found the baby and called the police.

There are Safe Surrender Baby laws that police want to remind people about too.

"There are Safe Surrender Baby laws that allow parents, guardians or mothers to surrender their child within 72 hours of birth with no questions asked. There are hospitals that are designated as safe surrender along with fire departments," said O'Neil.

The process is legal, confidential and free. The person has to state that they would like to safely surrender the baby, and will be given matching ID bracelets with the baby in case the person wants to later reclaim the baby. The person surrendering the baby will also be provided with an optional medical questionnaire. 

On Friday morning, detectives arrested 25-year-old Venissa Maldonado on charges of attempted murder and felony child abuse.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Fullerton Police Detective Marcus Saenz at 714-738-5361.