Newspaper carrier finds newborn baby in middle of Central California road

MADERA, Calif. (KTVU) - A newborn baby is recovering in a NICU after being abandoned in the middle of a Central California road.

According to the Fresno Bee, a Fresno Bee newspaper carrier was delivering papers in Madera - traveling at about 5 mph - when he noticed the newborn baby in the middle of the dark road.

It was 4:30 a.m. Monday when he made the discovery in the 35000 block of Avenue 13 ½ and called police.

Aurelio Fuentes Jr. tells the Fresno Bee, "If there was another vehicle, that baby would have been badly hurt (or killed)." He added the baby was on its back and crying.

A Good Samaritan who was driving by let the newborn into her warm car, according to the Fresno Bee report.

According to the Madera County Sheriff's Office, the baby girl, who was just hours old, was rushed to Valley View Hospital. Although the baby is in good condition, she was admitted to the NICU.

Authorities are trying to identify the person who left the baby in the roadway.

She is described by witnesses as a Hispanic female adult, possibly in her early 20's. Her physical description is unknown. She left the scene in a small white SUV of unknown make or model.

Anyone with information on the case is being asked to contact the Madera County Sheriff's Office at 559-675-7770.