This was the case for Rebecca Rodriguez, who was placed behind bars yesterday for taking her newborn daughter from hospital against medical advice.
According to reports, the 24-year-old was suspected of taking drugs during her pregnancy with her baby girl, and the child was being kept in hospital for treatment for a “delicate medical condition”, believed to have been caused by the substance abuse.
Police were alerted earlier this week when the hospital's medical staff realised that the child was missing. It is believed that Rodriguez and her sister, Ruth, took the child from the hospital so as to prevent Child Protective Services from intervening in their case.
Thankfully, police were able to locate the child shortly after she was reported missing. While she was found with relatives, the baby was considered to be safe.
Rodriguez has now been detained by police, charged with child endangerment and theft. Her sister Ruth, meanwhile, has not yet been found.
Our thoughts and prayers are with this little baby. We hope that she flourishes with her treatment, and that there is a happy family outcome for her.
