Good Samaritans save baby from dumpster on hot California day

STOCKTON, Calif. (KTXL via CNN Wire) — Police found a newborn alive in a dumpster Tuesday, a day when temperatures were reaching triple digits.

Officers were called to the apartment complex after someone reported seeing a baby inside the dumpster.

Some call it a miracle that the baby boy is alive and doing well. Police credit the actions of concerned passersby.

Troy Cooper lives in Winslow Village Apartment Complex and found the baby wrapped in plastic inside the dumpster.

“How could anybody do this? It was just unbelievable,” he said.

Startled, he called the apartment manager, John Pedebone, for help.

Pedebone said he picked up the baby boy, who was still breathing.

“Instinct as a dad, I just need to try to do anything that I could to try and help out the baby before the ambulance gets here. So, I just make sure that he’s breathing and warm.”

Officer Joe Silva with the Stockton Police Department said the baby was taken to a hospital, where he is recovering.

He said their investigation led them to the 15-year-old mother, who was also taken to the hospital.

Silva said if it weren’t for Pedebone and Cooper, the baby may not have survived.

“We had several good Samaritans who we are calling heroes,” he said.

“I wouldn’t call me a hero, it was just a parent helping a child,” Cooper commented.

The baby is the custody of Child Protective Services.

Stockton police said the teenage mom will be cited for felony child abuse and endangerment and will be released to her parents.

The case will be referred to the district attorney’s office.