Editor’s Note: The video above is a KXAN newscast from Sept. 22, 2025.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police said they arrested a suspect in connection with a baby that was found abandoned inside of a north Austin dumpster Saturday.
APD will hold a news conference at 11:30 a.m. Thursday to provide more details about the arrest. KXAN will have a livestream in this article.
On Saturday, Austin police said the baby was found safe in the 8600 block of North Lamar Boulevard at around 1:36 p.m. with no health issues present at the time. The baby was taken to Dell Children’s Medical Center and was placed into Child Protective Services, police said.
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A baby was found abandoned in a north Austin dumpster in the 8600 block of North Lamar Boulevard, according to the Austin Police Department. (KXAN News/Kevin Baskar) -
A baby was found abandoned in a north Austin dumpster in the 8600 block of North Lamar Boulevard, according to the Austin Police Department. (KXAN News/Frank Martinez) -
A baby was found abandoned in a north Austin dumpster in the 8600 block of North Lamar Boulevard, according to the Austin Police Department. (KXAN News/Frank Martinez)
According to a KXAN report, Texas lawmakers passed the Safe Haven Law in 1999, giving parents unable to care for their child the option to leave them unharmed at hospitals, fire stations or EMS stations without consequences.
The Texas Safe Haven Law was adjusted in 2023 to include baby boxes, which are secured, temperature regulated boxes connected to the inside of a safe-site location like a fire, EMS, police station or hospital.
KXAN reported that there are several baby boxes in Texas, but none are in Austin.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said there have been 11 Safe Haven surrenders so far this year. There were 14 in 2024.
Sam Stark contributed to this report