Deputies in Maricopa County tracked down a missing 2-week-old infant and his 37-year-old mother just after 8 p.m. on November 7, ending a search that began when the pair walked away from a Sun City medical facility.
Sheriff Confirms Newborn Safety After Hospital Departure
The newborn, who entered the world on October 25, 2026, was located alongside his mother and confirmed to be safe by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement had been searching for the infant since November 3, when the mother was last seen leaving Banner Boswell Medical Center on foot at approximately 4 p.m. while holding the child.
Before the infant’s birth, the mother reported drug usage to authorities. This prompted the Department of Child Safety to implement a present danger safety plan following the birth, according to the sheriff’s office.
Refusal to Surrender Custody
When Department of Child Safety personnel contacted the mother at the medical center to take temporary custody of the newborn, she allegedly refused to surrender him. She fled the facility on foot, and according to officials, the mother is a noncustodial parent.
Due to his extremely young age and vulnerability, the baby was considered to be a substantial risk of harm, requiring immediate and continuous care. Leila Woodard, the founder of the Arizona Missing Child Task Force, pointed out the unique difficulties law enforcement faced during the search.
With an infant, we don’t necessarily, you know, have characteristics to look for. They’re not walking amongst us on the street. So it makes it a lot more challenging.
Shelters and Nonprofits Offer Help for Unhoused Mothers
The mother’s reported circumstances, which included homelessness and being out of a job, further heightened the child’s safety, according to MCSO statements. Woodard noted that community resources exist for unhoused mothers carrying newborns, alongside nonprofits equipped to assist infants detoxing after drugs.
There are definitely resources for mothers who are homeless that you know, are carrying a child, you know, and shelters and things like that that help women like that. There’s also other nonprofits that help, you know, newborns detoxing after drugs and things like that. So there were definitely different outlets that could have been used.
Unanswered Questions in the Investigation
Police have not released details on where they were found and what condition they were found in. It’s unclear if the mother will face any charges.
