Police say the mother of a newborn boy found alive in the garbage dumpster at a housing complex says she didn't know she was pregnant until after she gave birth.
The baby was allegedly found in a garbage bag by people who heard it crying Tuesday. The child appeared to have been born within hours of being abandoned and was stable in hospital Wednesday.
The mother was found and taken to a Calgary hospital about an hour after her newborn was discovered. A psychological assessment was to be performed on her and police said charges were pending.
"There are so many places that you could leave the baby or contact to get help immediately," said Staff Sergeant Leah Barber. "Obviously EMS being the biggest one, but the fire department, the police department, churches, neighbours. There are so many people out there that would be willing to help."
Child abandonment, failing to provide the necessities of life and attempted murder are among the charges being considered, Sgt. Barber said
The father was also located by investigators. Sgt. Barber said he told police he didn't know the woman was pregnant either.
James Patton was one of the people who found the baby and wrapped it up to keep it warm.
"This fellow over there was in the garbage can," Mr. Patton told the media. "He tore a garbage bag open and he found the baby. I tore my shirt off right away and he ran down to his truck to get some blankets."
Internet health sites are peppered with stories of women who missed subtle signs that they were expecting a child. The television channel TLC broadcasts a show call "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant" that features re-enactments of stories from surprised mothers.
Some jurisdictions have developed programs that allow women to drop off unwanted newborns to authorities anonymously. South of the border, states have passed so-called "safe-haven" laws that decriminalize the abandonment of a child if it is left with the proper authorities.
A program called Angel's Cradle in Vancouver allows a parent to place an unwanted infant in a crib at St. Paul's hospital. Thirty seconds later, an alarm sounds, giving the parent enough time to leave, but letting hospital staff quickly tend to the infant.
The hospital has taken in one abandoned baby since the program began in May.
One of the most prominent recent instances of a newborn being left by its mother happened in Prince Albert, Sask., in 2007.
April Halkett said she didn't realize she was pregnant until she gave birth to a baby boy in a Walmart bathroom. Scared, she left the newborn in the toilet and ran away. He was saved by a store employee.
Ms. Halkett was found not guilty of abandonment in a trial in June 2009, but the Crown is appealing that ruling.