Fort Worth Mother and Boyfriend Charged After Newborn Found Abandoned in Walmart Parking Lot

Fort Worth police announced Wednesday that they have arrested a 28‑year‑old mother and her 31‑year‑old boyfriend after a newborn was found alone in the back seat of a sedan parked in the Walmart on Interstate 20. The vehicle, a gray Toyota Corolla, had been sitting for several hours when an employee, noticing a tiny bundle wrapped in a blanket, called 911.

First responders arrived within minutes. The baby, wrapped in a soft blanket and placed inside a small diaper bag, was breathing, though visibly cold and trembling. Paramedics wrapped the infant in a warm blanket, performed a quick assessment, and transported the child to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. Doctors said the baby suffered no serious injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.

Detectives quickly canvassed the area and reviewed nearby surveillance footage, which showed the mother and her boyfriend loading the car near the store’s entrance, then leaving the vehicle unattended. Within an hour, officers located the couple at a nearby residence and took them into custody without incident.

Both individuals are now facing charges of injury to a child, false imprisonment of a minor, and contributing to the neglect of a newborn. The mother is also charged with improper disposal of a human body. According to the police spokesperson, the arrests are part of a broader effort to address infant abandonment cases that have risen in the region.

The newborn remains in the care of the hospital’s neonatal unit, where staff are monitoring vital signs and ensuring proper nutrition. Social services have been notified, and a court hearing to determine the child’s permanent placement is scheduled for next week.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that anyone who suspects a child has been abandoned should call 911 immediately. "Every life matters," the spokesperson said, "and we will continue to act swiftly to protect the most vulnerable among us."