Lowell family feels impact of discovering newborn in yard

LOWELL, Ind. (AP) - The mother of the 9-year-old northwestern Indiana girl who found an abandoned newborn baby in the family's backyard says she and her children are still dealing with the emotional impact of the discovery.

Heidi Laub's daughter, Elysia Laub, found the female infant between two trees at the edge of their Lowell property early Monday, The Times of Northwest Indiana (http://bit.ly/29RgE07 ) reported.

"It's pretty far away from our house, but still in the yard to be seen," Heidi Laub said. "It makes me think (the mother) wanted it to be found but she didn't want to be seen, because it was so far from the road. It's so sad to me that the mother did this."

Lake County Sheriff John Buncich has called for the mother to come forward and has asked the public to help the investigation by providing any related information.

Buncich said it is undetermined how long the infant was abandoned. He said the Caucasian baby with brownish-blond hair was found with the umbilical cord and placenta still attached, indicating that she had been born less than a day, and perhaps only a few hours, before being discovered.

Laub said the family had been out in the yard all Sunday so she believes it was abandoned overnight.

Buncich said a medical team at a Crown Point hospital has found the baby to be healthy and in good condition, except for being sunburnt.

The state's Child Protective Services has found a foster home to care for the child.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com