AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department (APD) confirmed a baby was found in a dumpster at an apartment complex in North Austin over the weekend.

According to APD Watch Command, the baby was found in a dumpster in the 8600 block of North Lamar Boulevard. APD says it first received the report at around 1:35 p.m. Saturday.

The baby is alive, safe and appears to be healthy, with no signs of distress on her body, according to APD. She was still taken to Dell Children’s Hospital as a precaution.

Perry Lewis is a resident at the apartment complex, who was preparing to leave when he said his neighbor heard a cry from the dumpster.

“He said it might be a baby,” Lewis said. “So we ran over there, and it took us a couple of seconds.”

Lewis looked in the dumpster, where he said he discovered a baby girl covered in trash, filth and dirt. 

“She was covered in blood. Well, her head was at least,” Lewis said. “She had her umbilical cord still attached.”

Lerrssy Frausto said she grabbed the baby out of the dumpster and started doing compressions on the infant’s chest. They then called first responders for help. 

“The way that she was found in the trash can – upside down, with her head facing the trash can – hurt me. Me trying to open up her eye – I couldn’t open up her eye, but it broke me,” Frausto said. “Her other eye just started rolling to the back of her head, and I’m just like, ‘Please stay with me.'”

APD Officer Aaron Townsend said the child was transported to Dell Children’s. In an update on Monday, APD said she is doing better but remains in the hospital for evaluation. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said she is healthy and is expected to be discharged soon.

“Detectives are on scene doing the best work that they can to try to track down the mother and whoever else might be responsible,” Townsend said. 

For now, Frausto’s biggest hope is that the child finds “someone that loves her, that truly loves her, truly wants to be a parent to her.” 

In fact, Frausto said she already named the baby, “Miracle Angel.” It is a miracle, which Frausto said happened because the baby had the will to survive.

“She’s a miracle from God and an angel from the skies,” Frausto said. “She was crying in the trash can. That’s how they heard her cry, so she saved herself before anybody could save her.”

Police say they don’t have a timeframe of how long the baby may have been in the dumpster, and they suspect the baby will stay in the hospital until accommodations are made for someone to take care of her. DPS said once a baby is surrendered and medically examined, they are placed in foster care.

As of Monday, the investigation is open and ongoing, and no charges have been filed. Anyone with any information can call APD’s Child Abuse Unit at 512-974-6880. Tips can also be submitted anonymously at austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477.