Baby Left Behind at Dollar Tree, DCYF Investigating

A baby was either abandoned or forgotton at the Dollar Tree on Garfield Avenue by its mother this afternoon and taken to the hospital, according to police.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families is now conducting an inquiry into how the incident happened.

Cranston Police Chief Col. Marco Palombo Jr. said that officers went to the Dollar Tree and store employees said the baby was found alone at the end of an aisle in a baby stroller and efforts to find a guardian were unsuccessful.

The child was "responsive but appeared lethargic," Palombo said, and the baby was soon transported to Hasbro Children's Hospital by Cranston Rescue.i 

"The medical status of the child has remained the same," Palombo said.

About 30 minutes after police were called about the found child, a woman arrived at Cranston Police Headquarters to report her child missing. Police quickly determined that she was the mother of the child found at Dollar Tree.

"Police Investigators are coordinating with DCYF to continue the inquiry in determining how the incident occurred and the condition of the child," Palombo said. 

This story will be updated when more information is available.