Woman Accused Of Abandoning Baby In Hotel Room Located, In Police Custody
BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) -- Police in Feasterville-Trevose have located the woman they say left her 7-month-old baby alone in a hotel room and never came back.
According to investigators, 34-year-old Erica Avila-Lopez left her baby alone in a room at the Knights Inn Hotel in Feasterville-Trevose on Saturday afternoon.
Avila-Lopez' s 7-month-old was found when a maid came to clean a room the next day.
The maid saw him wedged underneath a bed, authorities said.
"The baby was found in his own urine and hadn't eaten for a while, crying," said Bensalem Township Police Director Fred Harran.
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Authorities say it's a miracle he wasn't hurt by the fall or by ingesting the crack-cocaine and heroin through the room.
Surveillance video showed the mom leaving the room Saturday afternoon the baby wasn't found until Sunday, nearly 24 hours later.
Late Monday, authorities announced they located Avila-Lopez. She is now in police custody at a medical facility.
"Why someone would leave a 7-month-old and in that condition is beyond me, but 31 years doing this job I stop trying to figure people out a long time ago," said Harran.
While the 34-year-old mother is receiving undisclosed medical treatment, Bensalem Township police say this may not be the first time she has put her baby boy in danger.
Last September, when Avila-Lopez was several months pregnant with the child, she apparently led Philadelphia police on chase through the city.
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That chase ended with two officers nearly struck and Avila Lopez shot in the hand by Philadelphia police.
"If you're engaging in negative contact with the police and you are pregnant. There has got to be something wrong with you. Maybe at the end of the day this is the best thing that ever happened to this child," added Harran.
DHS currently has the 7-month-old, but a relative in Florida has been contacted to take custody of the baby.
Avila-Lopez faces multiple charges, including endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, and narcotics offenses.
If you have any information you are asked to contact Bensalem Police at (215) 633-3700.
