Her mom didn't want her, but more than 500 people in New York do.
The tiny baby girl, dubbed "Baby Girl Hope," was dumped by her mother on a firehouse during Thanksgiving Day in New York City, CBN News reported.
Described as playful and healthy despite being born premature, "Baby Girl Hope" is now up for adoption. The announcement quickly triggered an avalanche of interest: More than 500 New York residents have offered to care for the 3-pound, 13-ounce newborn infant, the 15th to be surrendered this year in the New York area, according to NBC New York.
AMT Children of Hope Foundation founder and president, Timothy Jaccard, said they began receiving phone calls about the infant shortly after New York media outlets shared her story.
Jaccard said the unidentified woman who dropped off the baby at a firehouse in Wantagh, New York actually called him up first to inform him that she would be leaving the baby for adoption to whoever is interested.
New York law allows a parent to anonymously bring an infant to a safe haven, including a firehouse or police station, without facing charges.
"This was an enlightenment of the public, they're in holiday spirits, in holiday moods and this child was blessed," Jaccard said.
As per rules established in Nassau County, New York, "Baby Girl Hope" will remain under evaluation at a local hospital until she weighs more than four pounds. Then she will live with the chosen family for six months before the process of adoption begins.
The Nassau County Department of Social Services will be the agency responsible for finding the baby a new home.
However, the foster parents will not be selected from among the people who have expressed interest in adopting the baby through phone calls and e-mails, according to Nassau County Department of Social Services spokesperson Karen Garber.
She said they will select from about a dozen certified families, some of whom have been waiting years for a child.
"This is going to be an extra special holiday present," Garber said.
Those who phoned about adopting the infant can still get their wish fulfilled by joining the certification process so they can help other babies in need in the future, she added.
