A heartbreaking discovery shocked residents of an apartment building in Saint-Étienne, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. In the early hours of Sunday, March 24, at around 4:30 a.m., neighbors were awakened by the unmistakable sound of a baby crying. The distressing noises led them to investigate, and what they found left them in disbelief.
As they stepped out of their apartments, they noticed streaks of blood in the hallway. Following the trail, they were led to the building’s trash room, an area connecting to the basement. There, in a small storage space, they found a newborn baby, left all alone.
Realizing the urgency of the situation, the residents immediately contacted emergency services. Given the presence of blood and the baby’s weak cries, it was clear the infant had been born only moments before. Medical teams from the Loire Samu and firefighters from the Départemental Fire and Rescue Service of Loire (SDIS) rushed to the scene.
The newborn was found in a fragile state, suffering from hypothermia and still attached to the umbilical cord. A doctor provided immediate care, ensuring the baby’s survival. Fortunately, reports confirmed that despite the circumstances, the infant was stable and not in immediate danger. The child was taken to the CHU of Saint-Étienne hospital for further medical attention.
Authorities quickly launched an investigation, treating the case as an attempted murder. According to law enforcement, the baby’s survival was only possible due to the swift actions of the neighbors and emergency responders.
Preliminary findings suggest that the child’s mother, a 20-year-old resident of the same building, may have experienced a repressed pregnancy. Reports indicate she gave birth alone in her bathroom before abandoning the newborn.
Following the trail of blood from the trash room to an apartment, police located the young woman, who answered the door when officers arrived. She was immediately taken to the city’s North Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Authorities plan to question her once her condition allows.
The shocking incident left the entire neighborhood in disbelief. If not for the quick response of the residents, the outcome could have been much worse.
