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ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police say they have found the biological mother of the three newborns left in apartment complexes for a period of three years.
The babies were found in 2016, 2017 and 2019 at different doors. Officers learned last year through DNA testing that the three were siblings.
The most recent child was found in July 2019 at Willow Key Apartments on Arnold Palmer Drive. According to police, in a note found with the baby it was said that the mother left him because he feared the child’s father.
In October 2017 a girl was found with a note in the stairwell of the Willow Key apartments and in 2016 a boy was found in the Buena Vista Point apartments.
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“A lot more has been discovered since then,” Detective Frank Chisari said.
Officials said Wednesday they had been in contact with her biological mother since late November and were able to track her down with a DNA match. She told authorities she handed over the three children herself.
Detectives also revealed that the three babies were from the same mother and father, but do not know the identity of the biological father at this time.
“We are looking to help the biological mother, whom we have identified, and get her the services she needs, while we consider what criminal charges are pending against her,” Chisari said.
Orlando Police Department investigators say they are working with the state attorney’s office to see what charges they could face and how they could be held accountable.
“You can’t leave your children in an apartment complex at an unknown door from where they will be cared for by who will care for them,” Chisari said.
Along with Chief Orlando Rolon they stressed the Florida Safe Shelter Act, which allows babies to be surrendered for seven days or less in a hospital, emergency medical service station or fire station. Parents end their parental rights when the baby is delivered.
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“It is very important that you still follow state law when it comes to handing over your children,” the detective said.
As for the siblings, police say all three are healthy. Two of the children are in the same household, one has been adopted and the other is in foster care, according to authorities. The third is in a different house.
Researchers say both adoptive parents and adoptive parents have been cooperative in research.
Authorities add that this is an open criminal investigation and that the biological mother is also collaborating with detectives. They are taking the remaining notes with the children when discussing the case with the state attorney general. No charges have been filed since Wednesday.
“These kids were in fantastic situations, but it won’t always be that way,” the OPD detective said.
Rolon asked that if anyone feels they cannot take on the stressful factors of being a parent to remember Florida law. Babies can be dropped off at a hospital or fire station.
Click here for more information on Florida safe haven law.
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