An 18-year-old San Antonio mother was arrested after police said she handed her 1-month-old son to a woman she had just met at a downtown bus stop and left the child in her care.
The incident happened late Sunday night, September 13, near Broadway and East Travis Street in central San Antonio, according to police. The woman who received the infant contacted authorities after the unexpected encounter.
Police identified the mother as Karla Ibarra. She is charged with abandoning and endangering a child with intent to return.
According to the account provided by the woman who found herself caring for the baby, Ibarra initially approached her while she was waiting for a bus and asked to use her phone. The interaction then took a much more serious turn when Ibarra allegedly offered her the infant and said she no longer wanted the child.
The woman, identified as Jennifer Benavides, said Ibarra also handed over documents belonging to the baby, including his birth certificate, Medicaid information and Social Security card.
Benavides said she did not simply leave the child at the bus stop. Instead, she sought help from a friend who lived nearby and took the baby with her. Ibarra later left the area in an Uber, according to the account provided to police.
Authorities were contacted while the baby was being cared for at the nearby home. Police said Ibarra later returned to the area, where officers took her into custody.
Court records show that bail was set at $7,000. The case remains a criminal allegation, and the charge does not establish guilt.
Child Protective Services later confirmed that the infant was placed with relatives.
Texas law provides a legal option for parents who cannot care for an infant
The case also highlights Texas’ Baby Moses, or Safe Haven, law, which provides a legal way for a parent to surrender an unharmed infant who is 60 days old or younger.
Under the law, a parent can surrender the baby at an approved location such as a hospital, fire station or emergency medical services station. The child must be physically handed to an employee of the designated facility. Some approved locations may also have newborn safety devices that allow an infant to be safely surrendered.
Texas officials describe the law as an option for parents who are unable to care for a newborn and need a safe and anonymous way to surrender the child.
For information about the Texas Baby Moses program, the state’s current resources include the Baby Moses Hotline at 800-392-3352.
The investigation into the San Antonio incident remains ongoing. The infant is currently in the care of relatives, while the criminal case against Ibarra moves through the court system.
