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Abandoned baby found alone in woods as mum faces charges

A 37-year-old mother could face child abuse charges after her four-month-old son was found cold, wet and lying face-down in a wooded area on the banks of a creek.

Deputies in Orion Township in the US state of Michigan found the baby about 64 kilometres northwest of Detroit, the Oakland County sheriff’s office said in a release.

The infant was in a hypothermic state when he was found, with officers acting quickly to remove his wet clothes and wrap him in warm blankets.

Oakland County Sheriff Deputies rescue a 4-month-old baby in the woods in Lake Orion.
Oakland County Sheriff Deputies rescue a four-month-old baby in the woods in Lake Orion. Source: Oakland County Sheriff's Office/Facebook

The search began after deputies spoke with a distraught woman who reportedly was ringing doorbells and hiding in bushes about 8:30am on Wednesday (local time).

She later was seen pounding on the doors of a school in the area.

"At one point I saw them running, but I couldn't make out where, or what was happening," one woman who lives in the area told local news station Fox 2 Detroit.

"So innocent and just to thrown into such a crazy situation," another neighbor said.

Thick woodland in Detroit where a four-month-old baby was found abandoned.
The baby was found lying face-down in woodland, police said. Source: Fox 2 Detroit

Deputies learned she had an infant son. They also saw burrs on her pants and began searching the area for the baby, according to the sheriff’s office.

“Thankfully, deputies were able to determine a baby was missing, which triggered an immediate large response and search, and they were able locate the child,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.

“Their quick work avoided what could have been an unspeakable tragedy.”

It was not immediately clear how long the baby had been in the wooded area, but he was in good condition in hospital.

Police believe the case may involve prescription drug abuse.

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