Mom arrested after newborn rescued from dumpster at Georgia motel

COLUMBUS, Ga. — A mother accused of placing her newborn son into a dumpster has been arrested.

Columbus police say they responded to a Budgetel Inn on Tuesday afternoon after someone called 911 saying they could hear a baby crying from inside a dumpster.

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Police have now identified and located the child’s mother, 22-year-old Zinnia Hernandez.

They say she admitted to giving birth to the child and placing him in the dumpster.

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The baby was rushed to Piedmont Columbus Regional, where he has been in the NICU. Police say he is currently stable.

Hernandez has been charged with attempted murder, abandonment of a child, cruelty to children and reckless conduct.

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