Woman gives birth on sidewalk and abandons baby

By Elizabeth Daley

April 23, 2007

A San Francisco woman gave birth to a baby boy on the sidewalk Sunday night then walked away, pretending that it never happened, said San Francisco police Capt. Al Casciato.

Casciato said someone called 911 after the woman was seen birthing her baby on fifth and Stevenson streets in San Francisco, at around 9:34 p.m.

When an ambulance arrived, a five-pound 12-ounce baby boy was found alive and kicking, but his mother was nowhere to be found, said Casciato.

In a scenario reminiscent of a March 9. birth that occurred on an Oakland sidewalk, Casciato said a woman believed to be the baby's mother was spotted about a block and a half away, covered in blood.

According to Casciato, the woman, who was unable to give her name, denied giving birth.

She was taken to the hospital in police custody, where she exhibited psychotic behavior and needed to be restrained, Casciato said. Police have not been able to positively identify the woman, who is thought to be homeless and around 35 years old. Casciato said the woman may be named Nadine Matthews, but police have not yet been able to confirm this information.

Of the sidewalk birth, Casciato said that in a way, it was probably "the best thing that could have happened to that child."

He said the baby is in good condition at an area hospital and is in the custody of Child Protective Services.

The woman remains hospitalized and faces charges of child endangerment.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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