Hospital Investigates Infant’s Abduction

Children’s Hospital of Orange County is reevaluating its security procedures after the disappearance of an infant who was in protective custody and is believed to have been abducted by his parents.

Spokeswoman Mary Lou O’Toole said Friday that she could not explain how the parents might have been able to walk out with the child Thursday, as police believe, without being noticed by hospital staff.

“I don’t have an answer to that,” O’Toole said. “We don’t know how it happened, but we are currently reviewing all policies and procedures to ensure a safe medical environment for our patients.”

O’Toole said the hospital staff could have provided extra security for the 6-month-old boy if officials had been warned by social workers of possible problems.

She said the child was admitted Tuesday “on a routine county hold, per the social services [agency’s] request,” meaning that no special security requirements were warranted and the parents were allowed to visit the boy.

Orange police said the baby was taken into protective custody by social workers Tuesday when aides at a Fullerton day-care center saw bruises on the child. The baby was admitted to the hospital for tests to determine whether the bruises were caused by physical abuse. The mother, 17, and father, 20, were allowed to visit him daily.

Orange Police Sgt. Larry Pore said the boy was taken to Mexico by his parents after they took him with them after a Thursday morning visit.

“The mother called a relative here in Orange County and said they were in Mexico with the boy,” Pore said. “We’ve been told they’re in a small community just outside Tijuana.”

The district attorney’s office took over the investigation Friday, Pore said.